Post by villaboy on Jun 12, 2011 9:17:33 GMT
Ashley Young is unquestionably one of the most exciting and energetic wingers in the Barclays Premier League.
His ability to charge down the wing, beat a man and deliver a pinpoint cross is second to none - and had produced many claret and blue goals.
His performances in 2009-10 were terrific and he continued the impressive form he had shown in the previous campaign.
His highlights were scoring a penalty at Anfield in the 3-1 win over Liverpool, producing the centre for Gabby Agbonlahor's winning goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford and bagging the final goal in the incredible 6-4 second leg semi-final win over Blackburn in the Carling Cup.
The previous season was also a terrific one for the diminutive winger.
He made a fast start to the season - scoring a cracking winner in the Intertoto Cup second leg clash against Odense at Villa Park.
Young won the Player of the Month prize for September and - having also won the award in April 2008 - he joined the list of players to have won the award more than once, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
In December 2008, he scored two goals in the 3-2 win over Everton but he will fondly remember the winner as he followed Joleon Lescott's equaliser with a fab solo goal to earn all three points. Manager Martin O'Neill later described the player as 'world-class' and a 'genius' in the post-match press conference.
After penning a new four-year deal in November, he was awarded Player of the Month for December along with manager O'Neill, who won the Manager of the Month version. In the process, he became the first player to win three Player of the Month awards in the same year.
He was also rewarded for his form with the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Villa paid an initial £8m to Watford for Young - and eyebrows were certainly raised about the size of the transfer fee. But the pacy winger is proving to be excellent value for money.