Ashley Young is unlikely to be a starter at Aston Villa this upcoming season, says Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield.
The 36-year-old, who played for Villa between 2007-11, has returned to the club after leaving Inter Milan on a free transfer last month.
Young has plenty of Premier League experience from that spell at the Midlands outfit and his time with Manchester United.
Will Young be a starter?
Yes
No
He is also coming off the back of a Serie A title win, playing 26 games in that successful campaign under Antonio Conte.
Even so, Hatfield is expecting a bit-part role for the former England international. He told TIF:
“I don’t think he’ll be seen as a starter. I think he’ll certainly be seen as someone who can come on and play a role, though.
“He’s capable at both full-back positions now, whereas at Villa beforehand he was very much strictly a winger on that left-hand side, but I think he could be utilised there as well.”
As per Transfermarkt, Young has played in every position on both flanks, so at his age, it probably is more likely that he has joined Villa to provide cover rather than be a starter.
Ultimately, on a free transfer, it looks like a really smart piece of business done by Dean Smith.