Ashley Young Glad To Be Part Of Aston Villa Project

Aston Villa were able to bother the Premier League's 'Big Four' - floundering Arsenal in particular - across the first half of the season.

One of the most important cogs in the machine is winger Ashley Young, who has stepped up his game to another level and has been the subject of inevitable transfer rumours involving Europe's major clubs.

As Young emerges as an elite player in the making, boss Martin O'Neill made it quite clear that he wouldn't let the 23-year-old go for anything less than crazy money, with a £75 million price-tag slapped on his head.

Now, with the January transfer window open, Young has spoken in positive terms about the club, putting to bed any lingering doubts over his commitment to the Villans' cause.

"You can just tell that the club is evolving and moving in the right direction," he told the Daily Mail. "I'm just delighted that I'm here. The manager and chairman have said that the club will kick on and I believe it will."

On the new four-year contract he signed in November, Young added: "The gaffer came to me and asked me about a new deal. He didn't have to do that, though, as I had two years left.

"[O'Neill] is one of the top managers in the Premier League, if not the world. He was one of the main reasons I joined the club [from Watford in 2002], so I want to repay him.

"Plus. I'm playing week in, week out... I might not get that elsewhere."

Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com