Villa defender Luke Young believes team-mate and England star Ashley Young is capable of performing his new club role for his country.

Versatile Young is expected to start on the left wing in place of suspended former Villa player James Milner in tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley.

It is the role in which Young made his name at Villa, but the 25-year-old has this season excelled centrally as a supporting striker.

But, with Jermain Defoe, Bobby Zamora and claret and blue star Gabby Agbonlahor all missing for Fabio Capello’s men, namesake Luke believes the former Watford star would not let national boss Fabio Capello down if asked to play in his new Villa position.

Defender Young, who quit international football last year, said: “Ashley has done brilliantly there. He always wants to be involved and that position gives him the chance to be on the ball a lot more.

“Wide men can sometimes get frustrated if we are not getting the ball out to them. When he’s playing in those little pockets, he is causing trouble for a lot of teams.

“Could he play there for England? Definitely. If the England manager wanted to play one off someone then he could do that.”

Should he get the nod, it will be Young’s first start at Wembley.

Luke added:  “It’s difficult for Ashley. When you go away with England it’s getting the minutes on the pitch to show what you can do.

“I don’t think anyone else has that kind of delivery.  His assists over the last two or three years have been right up there.

“He deserves to be pushing for a start.”

England hopeful Young has also revealed how he owes a debt of gratitude to former Villa and England boss Graham Taylor for influencing his career.

He said: “I started at Watford when I was 10-years-old. Graham Taylor was the first-team manager.

“It was great to have the support of a former England manager back then and it’s the same now. He had a big role at Villa and is always around the place.

“We always speak about football. He still gives me advice and I have to listen.

“The knowledge he has got is fantastic and I have a lot to be thankful to him for.”