Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa side have silenced their critics

Nov 18 2008

ASHLEY Young believes Villa’s performance at Arsenal ranked as the best during his two years with the club.

The 23-year-old England winger, who is set to win his fourth cap in Berlin on Wednesday, believes Martin O’Neill’s side silenced their critics after two straight league defeats.

He said: “I don’t think I’ve been involved in a performance by a Villa side as good as that. It was exceptional, brilliant, all the way from the keeper to the front man.

“Everyone is buzzing. Everyone is ecstatic.”

He is looking to make a start against Germany after three fleeting roles as substitute.

He played against Austria in November for 42 minutes, against Switzerland at Wembley in February for three minutes and against Trinidad and Tobago at the end of the season when he came on for Stewart Downing before the hour.

Of Villa’s sensational win, Young said: “To boss the game the way that we did was brilliant. It was unbelievable. It just shows that we could bounce back from the defeats we have had. It also says something about the strength in depth and the character that we have got in the club.”

Villa will now go in search of ending their 13 year wait for a win against Manchester United this weekend.