Ashley Young believes that he has the versatility to play anywhere and is now hoping that Martin O’Neill can use that. Young, who turned 25 this month, has played on both wings and as a lone forward under the guidance of the Villa boos, and the player believes his versatility should not to be dismissed in favour of stability on the left-wing. The Aston Villa Hospitality crowd agree.

“Nowadays there are a lot of players who can play in different positions and that’s good for the team, the squad and the manager,” Young told Aston Villa’s official club website.

“I am a versatile player. When I first signed for the club, I played up-front.

“I have also played off the front man, I’ve played right, I’ve played left and I’ve even played in central midfield, too.

“There are a lot of positions I have played in. Wherever the manager wants me to play I am happy to play there.

“As long as I am in the starting XI, that’s all that counts.”

Ashley Young missed just one game of Aston Villa’s 2009-10 Premier League campaign, scoring five goals and assisting a further 10.

Aston Villa are keen to retain services of Ashley Young and are ready to offer a new deal for him. Young’s future at Villa has been the subject of speculation in the wake of Martin O’Neill’s departure as manager.

The likes of Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton are all thought to be keeping tabs on Ashley Young’s situation and are readying moves for the England international.

However, it is understood Villa owner Randy Lerner is determined to keep hold of Young and will resist any offers that come in for 25-year-old before the transfer window closes.

Ashley Young is once again looking forward to getting back his scoring touch. Ashley Young’s astonishing close-range miss against Stoke on Monday night perhaps cost Aston Villa a chance of victory at the Britannia Stadium.

But the England winger has not found goals hard to come by against the Whites in recent times, netting four times in the last four meetings, including a sweetly-struck winner at the Reebok in April. Now, Wanderers’ chief tormentor – who has not hit the target with club or country this season – is desperate to break his duck at Villa Park this afternoon.

“I have always had a good goalscoring record against them,” Young said. “I’m not sure why, but fingers crossed that can continue. We have had some really good results against them where we have scored two, three, four goals which is great and it’s always nice when you’re able to top it off with one yourself. Let’s hope I can get on the scoresheet again this weekend, although, in all honesty, the three points is all that matters.”