Ashley Young

[UsualSuspect]

bent has scored 7
AY has scored 7

The rude awakening AY is going to get is that:

The world doesn't revolve around him
He doesn't play 90 mins of every game
He doesn't take every set piece
He doesn't wander about the pitch wherever he takes his fancy

[Hopadop]

Lets not be petty. He's given us 5 years and put some graft in in that time IF he leaves us.

You're right of course, but take away the pettiness and I've not much left to bring to the table.

I don't want him to leave, but I'll be relieved when I can get on with really disliking him.

[Smoke]

bent has scored 7
AY has scored 7

And all of Bent's have come in open play too.

[Merv]

bent has scored 7
AY has scored 7

The rude awakening AY is going to get is that:

The world doesn't revolve around him
He doesn't play 90 mins of every game
He doesn't take every set piece
He doesn't wander about the pitch wherever he takes his fancy

Aye, seven goals in the league, nine in all competitions - so whichever way you spin it, he's either our joint leading goalscorer or leading goalscorer. And again, whichever way you look at it, means that to accuse of him not scoring enough goals looks a bit hollow. Because, in the context of our team, there ain't many who score more. And 7 goals in 32 league games isn't bad for a winger/second striker.

Of the other points you've listed there - I agree he may not play 90 minutes of every game, every week. I think this might actually help his game. This season I almost think he's been trying too hard for us - there's not been much happening around him in terms of support. As for wandering around all over the pitch - when he played in a free role behind a centre-forward, that was kind of the point of the position......

Smoke: of course, all of Bent's goals have come from open play. If we'd had him all season, he'd be coasting way ahead as top scorer. But again, if Young is partly judged on his free-kick delivery, then his set-piece goals (excellent direct free-kicks v Bolton and Wigan) can't be easily dismissed. Both superb goals. Not as if they were gimmes. Also, he's probably only one of two players we've got who can do that kind of thing.

I guess if you dislike/don't rate Ashley Young, that's that. But I think we're going to miss him - I'm definitely going to miss watching him. I do think, however, with the right type of attacking midfielder we can repackage ourselves and still be as effective an attacking unit - but for me he's been the most exciting attacking player we've had at the club for years.

[Smoke]

but how many of ash's goals are pens? for a second striker as he's been playing most of season he's scored nowhere near enough goals to be afforded that position.

[Greg N'Ash]

I can't blame him for leaving, and i certainly don't have the low opinion some have towards his contribution for us but i think he'll have to up his game if he goes to the mancs or chelsea unless he's happy to be a squad player at best. Liverpool have less options so i agree thats the more likely destination

[kippaxvilla2]

I've said it before and I am going to say it again and I dare say I'll say it again in a years time.  Ashley Young is a good premiership player who absolutely blew everyone away in his first two seasons at Villa and that was compared to the at the time supposedly inflated price we paid for him.

The fact is since then, with the possible exception of the first half of this season he has flattered to deceive, has added an unwanted, but unfortunately all too common with people who turn out for England overnight asshole, thinks he is better than he is, moaning, whinging twat mentality.

I don't want him to leave because on balance, with a more settled team next season with the right leadership I think he can be the asset he was during his first two years.  But that shouldn't be confused with him being considered as a world beater as i don't think he ever was or ever will be this.

Instead, I think he will again be another person who will be often seen looking a lonely figure on the bench or being taken off in not so happy circumstances in either a Liverpool or Man Citeh shirt.  He may get the CL dream he so craves, he may not.  But one thing is for sure, wherever he goes next he will be a much smaller fish in a much bigger pond.

Whatever happens Villa will move on, will replace him and will continue to do as well as they can hope to considering the financial power that now sadly outweighs them in the form of 5 or 6 other clubs in the league.

[mal]

In my opinion Young is a fabulously talented footballer who has been great for us while he's been here but has been badly managed this season. For all his talent, I think his attitude (Ronaldo lite ^TM) stinks and I'd rather he didn't play for us. Give me Gabby every day. However if all the mollycoddling this season results in him staying he will go up in my estimation and if he stays, we will be a better team for him doing so, if he stays on the wing where he belongs and on his feet when he can.

[gervilla]

If it were the Ashley Young of 2-3 seasons ago I'd be gutted to see him leave.
Right now I'm not overly bothered.
Get the money in and spend it wisely...hopefully our new manager will.

[hawkeye]

The pandering to A Young tells you everything about the level we have slumped to. In a top team he wouldnt be dictating where he plays and taking every set piece. He is a talented player in a very ordinary team. A bigish fish in a very murky small pond. He could be a very good player under strong management and with decent direction. He has been allowed to out grow a very poor Villa team.

[olaftab]

bent has scored 7
AY has scored 7

The rude awakening AY is going to get is that:

The world doesn't revolve around him
He doesn't play 90 mins of every game
He doesn't take every set piece
He doesn't wander about the pitch wherever he takes his fancy

This.

[Clampy]

I don't want him to leave either, he's a bloody good player but at the end of the day, he's not a Villa fan like us, he's doing what's best for his career and he want's to win things. He's given us 5 years and for the majority of them he's been very good. Like Greg said though, he'll need to up his game wherever he goes, especially his free kicks, which by and large have been woeful.

[JUAN PABLO]

He works hard and I will be a disappointed to lose him . But he is not as good as he thinks he is. If I was Manure or C££y I would spend it on Sanchez.   I think N'zogbia would be a good player for us , he has 7 goals and 5 assists compared to Youngs 7 goals and 9 assists , but I dont think N'zogbia takes every free kick like Young does .. I dont know how many of Youngs goals are pens..   

Any way we all knew he was off ...    good luck to him.  UTV 

[TimTheVillain]

He works hard and I will be a disappointed to lose him . But he is not as good as he thinks he is. If I was Manure or C££y I would spend it on Sanchez.   I think N'zogbia would be a good player for us , he has 7 goals and 5 assists compared to Youngs 7 goals and 9 assists , but I dont think N'zogbia takes every free kick like Young does .. I dont know how many of Youngs goals are pens..   

Any way we all knew he was off ...    good luck to him.  UTV 

Agree with N'Zogbia, a fab replenishment for Young with change.

AVFC will be looking rather differently come August me thinks.

[PaulTheVillan]

NZogbia would be my first choice as replacement. He was very good against us and wasn't even fully fit. He was a doubt before the game. If we get £15m for Ash then let's offer it to Wigan for NZogbia & Diame.