Young tipped for new Aston Villa role after Podcast reveal – Mills
Danny Mills has suggested Ashley Young may be set for an extended run in the Aston Villa starting XI under Steven Gerrard.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Leeds United and England defender claimed Young can act as Gerrard’s voice on the pitch at Villa.
The Athletic’s Gregg Evans reported on his 1874 podcast this week that the versatile star may be a “surprise” beneficiary of the new manager.
He claimed Young, who has operated at left-back and in central midfield so far this season, was seen by Gerrard as an attacker who is in direct competition with club-record signing Emiliano Buendia.
After starting the opening three Premier League games of the season Young has only started one further top-flight fixture.
Asked whether he may be set for an extended run in the starting XI, Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Yes especially if he’s been working this week, that’s vitally important.
“Gerrard will have seen him and thought ‘Ok, this is a senior player and someone I can trust. This is someone I need, I know what he’s going to do, I know how he’s going to perform. I trust him and maybe I need someone on my side in there to maybe run the midfield area’.
“He can be a voice on the pitch. There is a strong possibility and I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened.”
Young moved back to Villa Park on a free transfer over the summer after leaving Italian champions Inter Milan.
The 36-year-old has played seven times across all competitions this term bringing his Villa tally to 197 across both spells.
In other news, a Steve Bruce signing has been tipped to lead an Aston Villa exodus to Norwich City on one ‘massive’ condition.