Ashley Young - tell it how you see it

[WikiVilla]

Having been at the game today, I have to say ash played well and was at the heart of most of our offensive play, didn't look too bad a pen from where I was, more a good save than a miss.
Still think he's best as an out and out winger

[OzVilla]

This is so boringly predictable. He'll be off at seasons end to Spurs, Man City or 'The Mighty Reds YNWA'.  Only thing i'm unsure about is the reason he'll give on his departure.

It'll either be our relegation from the Premier League or the fact that the Club doesn't show enough ambition to win silverware.

After the Man City farce I wouldn't blame him either. 

If we really wanted to win things (which I now know we don't - thanks for clearing that one up for me Mr Houllier) we can't afford to be losing the likes of Ashley Young.

Now we can try to dull the pain by telling each other, he's overrated, cannot take free kicks, dives, we have youngsters, infact whatever makes you feel better about his impending departure, but the fact remains he's one of our better players and it'll be a loss to the squad.

How have we got ourselves into this position.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

You shouldn't sell your best players, and A.Young, even though he has faults (don't we all), is probably our best player. If you want to move forward, you should keep them.

However, A.Young will leave because better clubs want him and we're not up to his standards at the moment.

Personally, I'd see if we could get Milner than Walker, only for the reason that a midfielder can have a much greater effect on the outcome of the match.

Then, I'd also go and ask how much Wigan want for N'Zogbia to replace A.Young. Give him the chance to take the next step up and see if he takes it.

[DeKuip]

A top quality player who will move onto better things and leave behind some good memories.
When he does I'll wish him good luck and look forward to watching whoever takes his place.

Exactly the same as with Bruce Rioch, David Platt, Dwight Yorke, Gareth Barry, James Milner etc etc.

[Dave Summers]

Having been at the game today, I have to say ash played well and was at the heart of most of our offensive play, didn't look too bad a pen from where I was, more a good save than a miss.
Still think he's best as an out and out winger

This.

I was at the game today and can't believe the amount of stick Young has received as well.   And for the record, he didn't take every free kick or corner either.

Watched the Villa since the 70's and it's always the same.  Starting right from Brian Little our most skillful and talented players have always received the most stick.   I think the majority of Villa fans prefer an honest toiler to a mercurial type of player like Young.

If you do go Ashley, best of luck with your new club, it's been a pleasure seeing you in claret and blue.  You will leave some fond memories for this poster and I hope that the majority of supporters at your new club will be more tolerant of your failings than a lot of Villa fans. 

[Grande Pablo]

Now the International Board have banned snoods surely he'll be angling for a move to somewhere warmer.

[Mac]

I prepared to move back from my stance of selling him, but someone needs to get a grip of him so we have other options at dead ball situations

[Risso]

I prepared to move back from my stance of selling him, but someone needs to get a grip of him so we have other options at dead ball situations

His free kicks and corners were worse than usual today.  He's abysmal at them, so god knows why he persists in grabbing the ball at dead ball situations.

[Dave Cooper please]

  And for the record, he didn't take every free kick or corner either.

No, but he did take the majority of them, and every single one of them was shit.
He's not a bad player, on his day he's a bloody great player, but his day hasn't been seen for a while now, and we cannot afford passengers in our situation.

[gervilla]

Every free kick and corner he took was shit (again). His penalty was crap too but at least today he was up for it and looked good in open play. Sadly this is not always the case these days.
He made things happen today and looked dangerous but he will be off in the summer . I don't blame him .

[villa1]

Having been at the game today, I have to say ash played well and was at the heart of most of our offensive play, didn't look too bad a pen from where I was, more a good save than a miss.
Still think he's best as an out and out winger

Having seen numerous replays of it, i'd say it was a poor penalty.

I think that because he's captain, he thinks he's got to try and take everything.

Also worried that he's dictating where he plays and that Houllier should grow a pair and tell him he's going to play on the wing. Having said that, he does seem to have been a little better in the hole since the England game.

[fredm]

We should be playing with 2 of Ashley/Downing/Albrighton up front with Bent, three midfielders behind them and two full backs who can get forward (eg Walker).  The two upfront with Bent have the freedom to play across the front area where they are going to be more dangerous, running at the defence and creating chances or having shots.

Ashley got the penalty yesterday by doing this and also did it a couple of times against Blackburn when he cut in from the wing and played a ball across the goal just too far in front of Bent.

IMO his general play is not best suited to playing "in the hole" as he doesn't see what is around him quickly enough and his passing is not of sufficient standard.  His main ability is running at people and committing them and to do that he needs to be further upfield.

[Holtenderinthesky]

If Spurs were to offer a straight swap for Walker/Young I'd snap their hands off.

Now that, I'm afraid, is utter tosh.  Young for Walker!  Seriously?

[WikiVilla]

Walker + 8m

Why is ash captain? It should be NRC

[D.boy]

If Spurs were to offer a straight swap for Walker/Young I'd snap their hands off.

Now that, I'm afraid, is utter tosh.  Young for Walker!  Seriously?

Luke?