Veteran footballer Ashley Young set to depart Aston Villa after contract expiration

Aston Villa confirmed today that Ashley Young will leave the club when his contract expires.

Young, 37, first joined Villa in 2007 for a then-record fee of £8 million.

He quickly made his mark, scoring on his debut against Newcastle United, despite the match concluding in a 3-1 defeat for Villa.

His impressive 2007-08 season, saw him notch up 17 assists, earning him a spot in the Premier League Team of the Year.

Furthermore, his stellar performance in a 5-1 victory against Birmingham City in April 2008 and subsequent Player of the Month award in the 2008-09 season underscored his standing as one of the Premier League's leading players.

During the 2010-11 season, Young assumed the role of vice-captain and showcased his versatility, scoring nine goals and providing fourteen assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.

Re-signing with Villa in 2021 on a one-year contract, which was later extended through the 2022/23 season, Young continued to contribute significantly on the pitch. His return to the club saw him make 32 appearances last season, including a memorable goal against Nottingham Forest.

Over his two spells at Villa Park, Young totalled 250 appearances.

In a farewell message, Aston Villa stated: "Everyone at Aston Villa would like to sincerely thank Ashley for his service to the club and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours."