Aston Villa have signed up their James Milner as new deal agreed – Whelan
Noel Whelan has backed Ashley Young to play a “very important” role in the Aston Villa dressing room after he penned a one-year contract extension.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 36-year-old will have a similar impact to that of Liverpool veteran James Milner – who also extended his contract this summer.
Aston Villa confirmed on Monday (4 July) that Young has extended his stay at the club until the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
The 39-cap England international made 25 appearances across all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign – including 10 starts in the Premier League.
Young, who turns 37 on 9 July has made over 450 top-flight appearances in a trophy-laden career which started at Watford in 2003.
Whelan suggested the versatile star’s experience will prove more valuable in the dressing room than on the pitch in the future.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “When you’re giving players who have done so much in the game that extra year, it won’t be about giving him regular football week-in, week-out.
“Especially at that age. It’s more about what he can bring to the dressing room – that experience and that guidance that will help the younger players.
“It’s a smart move by Steven Gerrard. It can be invaluable to have these players, who have been at the top level for years and years, in that dressing room.
“He’ll be a voice around the place, very much like James Milner at Liverpool – and that can be very important.”
Villa have already completed the signings of Philippe Coutinho, Boubacar Kamara, Robin Olsen, and Diego Carlos this summer.
Gerrard is aiming to improve the 14th-place finish he achieved in the 2021-22 campaign.
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