Ashley Young helps give Aston Villa’s pre-match team talks, boss Unai Emery has revealed.
Ex-England international Young returns to his old club Manchester United on Sunday with Villa.
The star turns 38 this July but is still thriving in the Premier League after 25 appearances this term.
He has helped Villa enjoy a stunning 10-game unbeaten run to climb to sixth in the chase for European qualification.
But the Villa club captain has been equally important off the pitch too using his experience, including 261 appearances for United.
Boss Emery reflected: “He is very important in the dressing room.
“I am using him a lot of times when we are speaking together before matches about our experiences - my experiences and the players’ experiences.
“Ashley Young is very important because he had a very good career.
“He had a lot of experiences in Manchester United and Inter Milan.
“He played in European matches, key matches, under pressure.
“I want to use him with his experiences to tell us about how he felt in each moment.
“On Sunday as well he will be important.
“Maybe he will say just three words or a short message to us.
“Usually before the matches I want the players as well to ask how they are feeling and how they are facing each match.”
Young can expect a good reaction back at United after captaining the side and winning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League and Community Shield from 2011-2020 after joining from Villa.
He left for Inter Milan where he won Serie A and now has his sights set on guiding Villa into Europe in his second spell with the club.
Despite his advancing years, Emery is certain Young has more football left in him.
Ex-Villarreal coach Emery, in charge since October, reflected: “I think football has changed.
“Now every player has the best preparation to get a longer career.
“Ashley Young is an example.
“I had players like this at Villarreal too.
“If you didn’t know his age you could think he is 28 because everyday, even as much as he is playing, he is playing very well.
“Before usually you were seeing players of 32-34 starting to finish their careers 20 years ago.
“At Villarreal we were signing players 35-36 like Jose Luis Morales and we didn’t change our mind for his age. Now it is the same for Ashley Young.”
Young’s form could earn him a new contract at Villa with his deal up this summer after returning in 2021.
Emery added: “We are going to speak about him.
“Now is not the moment but of course he can extend his career longer than this year.”
