As Aston Villa fans, we are used to seeing some strange and bizarre transfer stories every summer, as we tend to get linked to everyone and anyone – but at least for the last few years, the press have repeatedly shown that they don’t have a single Scooby when it comes to our targets under NSWE’s charge and at best, they get very late news of a deal going through.
Having already unexpectedly captured Emi Buendia from Norwich City, one link I didn’t expect to see this summer was a potential return for former winger, Ashley Young.
The now 35-year-old has just completed a successful spell with Inter Milan where he helped himself to a Serie A title winners medal, and according to the Daily Mail he’s set for an ’emotional return’ as a free agent – a few have picked up on the fact that he apparently still owns property in the area as well.
Vital Villa’s 2021 Transfer Rumour Forum Thread
Ashley Young is in line for an emotional return to Aston Villa a decade after he left to join Manchester United. [@TomCollomosse, @MailSport] #avfc
— villareport (@villareport) June 15, 2021
For any Villan under the age of 10, Young arrived fresh-faced from Watford for a deal believed to be worth a total £9.65million in January 2007, and by the time he departed for Manchester United in a deal worth £17million in the summer of 2011, he was slightly shy of 200 appearances for us, and had returned 39 goals and countless assists, as well as working himself into the England setup.
Now, in no way does Young tick the boxes that Villa have laid out when it comes to our transfer business, so there is a huge amount of 2+2= from the media here. But…
Young is now into the twilight of his career. He’s also matured hugely as a player from the talented, popular and often blown over winger he was with us. He’s transitioned to defensive midfield and left back in recent years and both flanks are an option when you look at where he played for United and Inter.
His versatility is a massive plus and we need to replace Neil Taylor, so if he’s not asking for silly wages, and accepts at 35-years-old he’s not a regular starter, he’s no longer the star and shining light in the side (as he arguably was for a long period of his career) and he’s happy to play a team role here for 12/24 months – in some ways, given his experience and winning mentality, this becomes a no brainer.
Do I expect it to happen, no. Can I see the sense in it happening and would I welcome it, yes.
There are also now reports that he’s set for talks with us next week, which is a bit of a bolder claim than we are simply interested in him.
Aston Villa are expected to open talks with Ashley Young’s representatives this week. [@SkySportsNews] #avfc
— villareport (@villareport) June 15, 2021
It’s not just folks in our transfer thread who think this would be a massive boost for 12 months if it was to happen.
Would You Have Ash Back?
Absolutely
Not A Chance
bring him home
— catrin (@catrinedwards18) June 15, 2021
Don’t care. Just get him in
— Tom 🏴🦁 (@Tom_Price_AVFC_) June 15, 2021
The long sleeves, the Vix, the gloves, the turtle neck, my childhood memories are coming back 🥺🤩 pic.twitter.com/GmsibTQuOn
— MYLO ₉⁹₉ (@mylokieran) June 15, 2021
Youngs coming home!
HES COMING HOME
HES COMING
YOUNG IS COMING HOME
HES COMING HOME
HES COMING— will utv 🏴 (@escapeinpixels) June 15, 2021
If he brings back the snood I’ll pay his wages myself
— No Context AVFC (@NCAVFC) June 15, 2021
OMG ITS HAPPENING
— Aaron05 (@AaronBatt05) June 15, 2021
Underrated move this. Big fan of it. You don’t play 26 games in a title winning Italian team if you’ve “lost it” as some people have been saying.
He’s been at top clubs competing for trophies since he left. His knowledge and experience alone will be brilliant for us.
— Josh (@Jannetts_) June 15, 2021
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼get him back
— Frank taylor (@avfcfrank) June 15, 2021
Doing fine at Serie A champions in the Champions League tho, perfect backup to a lot of areas on the pitch with experience of nothing but trophy chasing teams since he left
— ameer (@wobblydubs) June 16, 2021
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