The beginning of a new week and Bodymoor Heath welcomed back the majority of Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard’s first team squad to pre-season training – and there was a familiar face back this summer, as experienced and versatile Ashley Young has signed up for another 12 months with us.
The first day of 2022/23 is in the books. ✅
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 4, 2022
The 36-year-old has extended his second spell at Villa Park until the end of the 2022/23 campaign with the signing of a new one year deal and he will be looking to build on the 25 appearances he made in the 2021/22 campaign.
Speaking to the Official Site earlier today after the formalities on the deal had been finalised, a delighted Young explained that he wasn’t quite ready to hang up his boots just yet.
“I’m back.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/3XtYwkABfD
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 4, 2022
“It was the ambition of the Club, the manager, the staff and the players as well. I got to know the staff and the players really well last season, and I wasn’t ready to go into retirement just yet. When I spoke to the manager towards the end of the season, he told me what he thought about me and that he wanted me to stay. He was a massive factor.”
Naturally, there was the usual European talk, although he did concede last season had been difficult.
“I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s been a good journey, a bit up and down last season but when a new manager comes in halfway through the season it’s going to be tough. It was tough at times but we had good times as well and that was a factor in it. His ambition is to get us back into Europe, where I believe the Club should be. That was a massive draw for me. I’ve enjoyed every minute of working with the manager and I’m delighted to have signed another year to continue working with him.”
"The ambition of the club, the manager, the staff and obviously the players." @Youngy18 reflects after signing a new one-year contract with Aston Villa. 🗣️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 4, 2022
Will build up to the campaign now well underway, we’ll see whether any new faces now arrive – especially if we are serious about the Europe aim.
