‘Irreplaceable’ Ashley Young Is Not For Sale, Insists O’Neill

Despite rumoured interest from Real Madrid, Ashley Young is going nowhere according to his manager.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has vehemently warned any potential suitors of Ashley Young that the young winger is not for sale.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old who was yesterday named December’s Premier League player of the month.

However, speaking to The Mirror, his manager has insisted the player is ‘irreplaceable’ and that he has absolutely no intention of selling him.

“Ashley is irreplaceable and priceless to us,” said the Villa boss, “I wouldn’t contemplate selling him – absolutely not.”

The former Celtic manager also went on to insist that Young would remain at the club which he thought suited the winger perfectly.

“It is not going to happen and certainly not by January 31,” explained O’Neill, “We are going great and the club is perfect for him.”

Villa signed Young from Watford in 2007 for £9.75 million, which has proved to be an excellent deal as the player has gone on to become one of English football’s most exciting talents.

However, his impressive performances have inevitably led to some of the continent’s larger clubs taking an interest in the Villa man, yet O’Neill insists he deserves better than to move and find himself facing stiff competition for his place.

The Villa manager concluded: “To go to another club where there is rotation and sitting in the stand is something I wouldn’t entertain.”