Luke Young official PFA Interview

Luke Young was one of Martin O’Neill’s summer signings in a move from Middlesbrough that could eventually cost up to £6million. The England full-back has joined one of the best young squads in the Premier League and he is hoping to help Villa maintain their good start to the season as they focus on success this term. Givemefootball’s Lawrie Madden caught up with him to get his thoughts on life at Villa Park so far. Q WAS IT A HARD DECISION TO MOVE TO ASTON VILLA?A “No, not really. I was excited when Aston Villa came knocking on the door. I thought the club was progressive and had a good chance of winning things. I felt Middlesbrough were going through a transition stage and so this was too good an opportunity to turn down.” Q THERE ARE QUITE A FEW ENGLISH LADS IN THE TEAM, DOES THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?A “The English boys have helped me settle in. On the first day I came into the dressing room there was banter flying about and we got on well.” Q ASTON VILLA HAVE NOT WON THEIR OPENING TWO GAMES OF THE SEASON FOR NINE YEARS…A “I didn’t know that. We had such a good result (against Manchester City last weekend) but we know Stoke are dangerous. It will be a tough game and we will need to prepare right and not take anything for granted. They will be at home and looking to react to the first game against Bolton.” Q HAS THE MANAGER SET ANY TARGETS FOR THE SEASON?A “I don’t think so. I think the aim is to do better each season. Some people have said that Villa overachieved last season, but this season we are in Europe as well but we also have a bigger squad to cope with this.” Q DID YOU WATCH THE ENGLAND GAME AGAINST THE CZECH REPUBLIC IN MIDWEEK?A “Yes, It wasn’t a great performance and the fans were a little disgruntled. It is difficult for players when they wear the England shirt and don’t do as well as they do at club level. I think the fans booing is something that has crept in at club level and now we have it at International level. It is not good when that happens and you are representing your country. I think they should be judged when the qualifying games come around.” Q DO YOU STILL HAVE ENGLAND AMBITIONS?A “Yes, I still have aspirations of playing for England. There was a lot of speculation last season when I was at Boro but I didn’t speak to anyone. My main aim is to settle into the Villa starting eleven, be as consistent as possible and if I can get into the England team so be it.”Q WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF GARIEL AGBONLAHOR’S PERFORMANCE LAST WEEK?A “He just sparked into life. He was unplayable for ten minutes - he scored with a header, a right foot goal and a left foot strike. He’s got pace and power and he was a little unlucky not to have made the senior England squad.”