Luke Young fears Downing and Ashley will leave

[Rip Van We Go Again]

sportinglife.com

Luke Young fears big clubs will target Ashley Young and Stewart Downing this summer - after claiming Aston Villa cannot afford to lose the duo.

Ashley Young has only one year left of his current deal and is understood to be attracting interest from Manchester United.

But Downing is also coming under the microscope with Liverpool having been linked after an impressive campaign.

Luke Young said: "Stewart has been brilliant. I played with him at Middlesbrough so I knew the potential that he's got.

"I feel he would have done a bit more if he had got out a couple of years earlier.

"Now he is showing the form and you've got bigger clubs sniffing at him and it is obviously going to be difficult for us to keep him.

"We haven't had a great season so I think some of the bigger clubs are having a look at him, and rightly so with the form he has shown.

"He is one that we hope stays because he is a big player for us."

Luke Young added: "The bigger clubs are circling for Ashley as well so it is going to be a difficult summer for us and hopefully we can keep hold of both of them.

"But we certainly wouldn't want to lose both of them."

Luke Young believes Downing has the ability to emulate Ashley Young and move to the forefront of Fabio Capello's England plans.

He said: "I think Stewart is starting to believe that he can become an England regular himself.

"With Stewart, when he is on song and confident, that is when you see the best of him.

"It is just about getting minutes on the pitch for England. It is difficult.

"There are lots of very good players and you go with a lot of squads and come on for 10-15 minutes.

"You actually need to be given a run of games like Ashley Young has been given and he has taken his chance and maybe Stewart needs that as well."

Luke Young is happy to be playing on a regular basis for Villa after not getting many opportunities last season.

He said: "I've always just wanted to play football. I've never not been unhappy at the club.

"I just wanted to have a fairer crack and be involved a bit more.

"I had three or four months towards the end of last season where, no matter what I did, I didn't really get a chance.

"That was my only frustration. I love the club. It's a great club, a big club."

[Merv]

I've never not been unhappy at the club.

Perhaps that's not quite what you meant to say, Luke....

[Chris Smith]

I've never not been unhappy at the club

I'm sure that's not what he meant to say.

[darren woolley]

I think AY will leave but Downing will stay that's what i think.

[PaulTheVillan]

Couldn't give a shit about Ashley Young, he's been pissing me off for a while now.

I'd be gutted to lose Downing.

[Holtenderinthesky]

Of the three "wingers" that we have at the club I'd be devastated if Downing left, a little less devastated (but devastated non the less) if Albrighton left and nonplussed when Ash leaves.  Downing on the left, Marc on the right, job done.  If we sell either of those two then we might as well not bother.  But we won't, so happy days! 

[cheltenhamlion]

I don't think Downing will be going anywhere and Luke Young doesn't sound like he has any designs on escaping either.

[eamonn]

Luke Young is out of contract aswell isn't he? If he turned down Liverpool he must be on a fair wedge. I'd be happy to let him go and bring in someone younger and cheaper.

[Rigadon]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/09/aston-villa-luke-young

Hmmm. 

Posted on another thread, sorry!

[Shrek]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/09/aston-villa-luke-young

Hmmm. 

Posted on another thread, sorry!

That is very very worryng.

That is straight from the dressing room, they dont know whats going on, we need to sort the manager situation out now not in july.

[SashasGrandad]

I've never not been unhappy at the club.

Perhaps that's not quite what you meant to say, Luke....

Triple negative?