Ashley Young is ready to deputise for the injured Lucas Digne and boost his prospects of a new Aston Villa deal.
Versatile veteran Young only rejoined Villa last summer on a one-year deal and is a free agent this summer. But he turned down a switch to Newcastle to stay in January when Digne joined for £25million from Everton and is open to extending his stay another season.
He has totalled 19 appearances for Villa and played at left-back and also higher up the pitch. The ace came off the bench for the injured full-back Digne in last weekend’s 2-1 loss at West Ham where the Frenchman was subbed early on after clutching his hamstring.
Former Manchester United captain Young, 36, is now set to keep his place on Saturday when Arsenal visit. Villa are yet to confirm Digne's diagnosis but Young, who turns 37 in July, could also be in line to play when Villa visit Wolves on April 2 after the international break.
Villa manager Gerrard is a huge admirer of Young’s versatility and professionalism. He made an instant impression returning to the club last summer with his fitness levels as former boss Dean Smith nicknamed the veteran ‘young Ashley’.
Successor Gerrard, whose first team skipper is Tyrone Mings, values his former England team-mate highly. Gerrard said recently: “You can’t underestimate or play down the fact someone can come in and do any kind of job on the pitch. Not many players can do that and have that versatility at that level, especially at his age. He is one of a few who are capable.
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“You look at the likes James Milner, for example. They are a manager’s dream, really. Certain situations crop up, whether it be a suspension or an injury or a tactical change, where you need someone to do a certain type of job.
“It doesn’t matter whether it is on the left or the right or in the middle, whether it is forward or back, they carry it out and do exactly what it says on the tin. People need to give Ashley Young a lot of credit for being able to deliver that.”
Gerrard has also made it clear he wants the star to stay on for another year: "There have been discussions. These decisions will happen when the time is right. I have made it nice and clear to Ash I want him to stay around. Ash seems to be be enjoying it. With any decision the player has to want to stay.
“He has to be happy, he obviously has to negotiate and have his people connect with the club. There are still a lot of things to discuss moving forward.”
Young , who has 39 caps, has had a glittering career and added the Serie A title last term at Inter Milan. The star had previously won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League and Community Shield with United from 2011-2020.
Young started out at Watford's academy aged 10 in in 1995 before making his first team debut in 2003. He scored 22 goals in 110 games for Watford before departing in a £9.6million move to Aston Villa in January 2007, where he went on to win the PFA young player of the year award before moving to Old Trafford.
