The 35-year-old English veteran has returned to St. James Park after 10 long years after spending a year in Italy with Inter Milan.
Ashley young has snubbed Inter Milan’s contract extension offer to join Aston Villa on a one year deal. His return to Aston Villa brings a ton of experience, winning mentality and hunger for victory along with him.
The Former Manchester United winger/defender has made 369 appearances in the English Premier League scoring 47 goals and providing 86 assists out of which 190 appearances and 38 goals and 45 assists were for Aston Villa.
The experienced Englishman has won the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Europa League and also recently won Serie A this season.
After signing Ashley Young, Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith stated
“Ashley brings with him a wealth of experience of top-level football at club and international level – and he is joining us having just won a league championship in Italy.
“He is a player who can play in a number of positions and, having spoken to him at length, I know he is determined to make a real impact with us this season.”
Ashley Young feels good to return home after spending a year in Italy and has stated
“It feels amazing to be back, it’s like I never left.”
“I’m delighted to be here, seeing some old faces, being back at Bodymoor Heath and seeing how well the facilities have grown.
“You can see how much the club has evolved since my time and I’m ready to get down to work now.”
“When I heard of the interest from Aston Villa, it was straight to my agent ‘get a deal done, whatever you can, get a deal done.”
“Watching from afar, seeing the squad, how well they did last season, how well they’ve been doing.”
“The staff, the manager, how the players want to play for him; they’ve got that hunger, he’s got that desire, that winning mentality.”
“And, for me, I know I’ve got that winning mentality.”
“I think someone said (about me) ‘he’s coming to the end of his career’, ‘he hasn’t got that hunger any more’, ‘he’s just going there for a swansong.”
“That’s not me at all, I’ve still got that winning mentality, that winners’ attitude, that desire and hunger to go and win.”