How Villa's wonderful young winger shot to prominence to claim PFA prize
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Sunday April 20 2008. That was the day that Ashley Simon Young first proved to all Villa fans that he was a very special player.
The wing wizard demolished a sorry Birmingham City side in a sensational 5-1 victory for the Claret and Blue. It was a truly stunning performance from Young who was relishing a free role on the day, managing to net twice.
The flying Englishman had illustrated that he could not only cope with the mountain of pressure placed on his fledgling shoulders but that he could revel in it.
As a teenager Young was turned away from the Watford academy. He looked set to become yet another young player consigned to the footballing wilderness.
But Ray Lewington - Hornets boss at the time - gave him a second chance and Young was quick to take it.
At the age of 18, he made his first team debut, scoring after being brought onto the field against Milwall in September 2003. From that moment on, Young began a steady rise to prominence and he was named Watford Player of the Season in 2004/2005.
His continued influence for the Londoners earned him a big money move to Villa in January 2007 and he was again quick off the mark, scoring his side's only goal in a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United. Ashley Young had arrived.
Unfortunately the rest of the season proved to be something of an anti-climax, with Young failing to really find his feet at the club. He failed to display the sort of form that would help him justify his seemingly exuberant £9.75m price tag but the Vila faithful were more than prepared to give him time.
Reviews
Martin O'Neill knew that with a full pre-season under his belt Young could reach his potential during the following campaign. And the Northern Irishman was not to be disappointed as his twinkle toed left winger began to destroy defences up and down the country from the start of the 2007/08 campaign, earning rave reviews along the way. He even earned his first international call-up four months into the season.
Young's emerging telepathy with Gabby Agbonlahor had numerous defenders quaking in their boots, none more so than the backline of Birmingham. The Blues were left...well, Blue as Villa's dynamic duo helped claim a second city double.
In the first game at St Andrews it was a Young centre that Agbonlahor put away in the last ten minutes to send the travelling faithful into raptures.
At Villa Park the victory was far more comprehensive with Blues keeper Maik Taylor being bombarded from all angles. Once again Young played the part of chief tormentor. He was simply unplayable. Needless to say the visiting fans on that occasion left a little earlier than the away supporters at St Andrews.
The Blues must have been sick of the sight of Villa and Young in particular.
The fleet footed winger was not finished there though and just when you though he couldn't get much better along came this campaign.
Even O'Neill was left gasping for air after a breathtaking display from Young at Goodison Park on December 7.
Villa fans went to Merseyside with limited expectations but they left with the belief that anything is possible. The man who made the wildest of dreams a reality was Young.
Gong
He was so clinical, playing in an advanced role and after seeing Joleon Lescott equalise his second half strike in injury time, the indefatigable winger went straight up the other end and won the game for Villa. You had to see it to believe it.
The referee looked set to end the game from the kick off but with a few more seconds allowed, Young kept his nerve to slot past Tim Howard and send the away fans into ecstasy. It was a special moment provided by a special player.
Villa then went on to claim seven straight away wins with Young at the heart of all that was good about his side.
He was then nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award and of course he claimed the coveted gong on Sunday night.
It was a deserve slice of recognition for a developing talent who can surely only get better.
Although he has suffered a slight dip in form since earning his nomination, Young has kept fighting and his form is gradually coming back.
If ever he feels like the game is against him he should just think back to that game against Blues. On that day everything he touched turned to gold.
Now he has a golden award to show for his work and there is no reason why he can't add some silverware and a few more caps to his cabinet in the not too distant future. |
