Ashley Young: Staying or going?

[Chris Smith]

Not so long ago, Norm in Canada (?) started a thread posing the question - 'what if we sold Ashley Young and used the money to improve the squad'? He was absolutely, and almost unanimously, slated. How quickly things change....

True but he was arguably the best left winger in the prem at the time. I think Norm posted that thread around the time of the Everton away game.

I don't rate him playing just off the front man tbh, just don't think he creates enough in that position although he did have a very good 15 minute spell there on saturday.

I wouldn't be adverse to selling him in Jan for 15m + and getting lennon in a swop or Jarvis.

Playing there he's been involved in 4 of the last 5 goals we have scored, but as you say it's not enough!

We should do everything we can to keep him and as fans we shouldn't help foster a climate where the club feel it is OK to do so.

[TimTheVillain]

When a player delays signing a new contract, it says one thing normally - I'm offski.

I hope he stays, but am not too optimistic to be honest, especially after losing Fat Barry and Jimmy.

Lennon would make a good replacement.

[JUAN PABLO]

well it sound like Wenger and Houlier are really good mates...   Less chance of Wenger upsetting Houlier trying  to get Ash , unless its to stupid a offer to turn down and Wenger doesnt do that  ( no more) ..

[pauliewalnuts]

He's not found the form of a couple of years ago, but before you even get into the footballing reasons,  selling Ashley Young would send out entirely the wrong message coming after doing the same with Barry and Milner.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

He's not found the form of a couple of years ago, but before you even get into the footballing reasons,  selling Ashley Young would send out entirely the wrong message coming after doing the same with Barry and Milner.

I don’t think anyone would disagree and we would all prefer to see him stay but he needs to commit to the Villa before we lose him for nothing.

[VillaAlways]

He's not found the form of a couple of years ago, but before you even get into the footballing reasons,  selling Ashley Young would send out entirely the wrong message coming after doing the same with Barry and Milner.

I don’t think anyone would disagree and we would all prefer to see him stay but he needs to commit to the Villa before we lose him for nothing.

Completely agree with this.If he hasn't committed by January the club need to get the best price

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Agree with Juan. Houlier and Wenger are very good mates and have been in close and recent talks concerning Pires. Wenger really dont need his mid field bolstered with Nasri, Fabregas, Arshavin and a whole lot of others. I know footballers are unreliable in there statements. But to attempt to move weeks after saying "Villa have nothing to worry about" would very much suprise even some of the most cynical pessimists ........

[Chris Smith]

When a player delays signing a new contract, it says one thing normally - I'm offski.

I hope he stays, but am not too optimistic to be honest, especially after losing Fat Barry and Jimmy.

Lennon would make a good replacement.

I woudn''t want Lennon, prefer Albrighton - he's not as as quick but a far, far better delivery plus he hasn't got wankily shaved eyebows.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Bit of a problem there Chris. I think Houllier has got a bit of an eyebrow fetish ........

[Merv]

I've said before, out of Barry, Milner and Young, Young would be the hardest to replace. Is he playing as well as he did two years ago? Maybe not, but Young never hides, even on an off day he's always busy, always working, always giving opposition defences a tough time. He's our most dangerous attacking player - still.

Lennon would be no sort of replacement at all. He's flaky. He'll do it in small bursts but his injury record is pretty poor.

[Concrete John]

When a player delays signing a new contract, it says one thing normally - I'm offski.

Although I'd normally agree with you, it should be noted that this is all happening during a period of change at the club.  The manager who bought him has left, there are at least questions over future spending and we're still unsure exactly what the new manager will bring.  I don't think it's too far fetched to imagine Ash and his advisors may adopt a 'wait and see' approach in those circumstances.

[TimTheVillain]

When a player delays signing a new contract, it says one thing normally - I'm offski.

Although I'd normally agree with you, it should be noted that this is all happening during a period of change at the club.  The manager who bought him has left, there are at least questions over future spending and we're still unsure exactly what the new manager will bring.  I don't think it's too far fetched to imagine Ash and his advisors may adopt a 'wait and see' approach in those circumstances.

Agree to a point, but a contract means zip anyway in terms of which club a player plays for -- in that, if he wants to move in the Summer, the fact he's got 4 years of a Villa contract left will not stop him from going.

It would mean his value may be higher, that's all.

[not3bad]

Well, I was quite exited by the forward line of Downing, Young, Albrighton and Agbonlahor with Bannan in support last Saturday.  I feel there is potentially a lot more to come from this combination so I'm not keen on f*cking of Ash to the Arse, Spuds, Man Citeh or anyone else.

And I don't want to consider who we'd 'swap' him for either.

[Concrete John]

You've lost me there?

You're saying him not signing means he's likely to go (a fear I do share), yet if he wants to move anyway the contract makes no difference?  If that's the case why not sign now and take the increased wages until he buggers off in the summer/January?

[TimTheVillain]

You've lost me there?

You're saying him not signing means he's likely to go (a fear I do share), yet if he wants to move anyway the contract makes no difference?  If that's the case why not sign now and take the increased wages until he buggers off in the summer/January?

Exactly, so stalling could mean he's actually made a decision to go already.