Nathan Redmond: I want to be like Ashley Young - without playing for Villa

Aug 27 2011 By Colin Tattum

Birmingham City's Nathan Redmond has set his sights on emulating Ashley Young - but without joining Aston Villa.

Blues' wing prodigy told Young to his face when he met him that he planned on being as good, if not better.

Along with Nani, Young is a player Redmond admires.

“I met him when I was 15, 16,” Redmond recalled. “I am close with Ian Taylor, he’s a family friend, and I went to watch a cup game at Villa, against Blackburn.

“I remember saying to him: ‘I’m going to be better than you one day’.

“He’s gone from Watford Academy to Watford first team for two years, gone to Villa and had a good four years and now he’s at one of the best clubs in the world.

“It’s something you dream of, and he’s done something that I dream of.”

So would Redmond then move across the divide to Villa?

“No, no, no,” he insisted. “As much as my mum would want me to, no.

“She’s a Villa fan but more importantly she’s my fan. She’s a fan of me. She always supports me, no matter what I do.”

Redmond’s mother Michelle worked two jobs as a single parent to support him and his brother, Niall.

Redmond admitted that he owes everything to her for the sacrifices she has made to give him every chance of success as a footballer.

And now his career has lift-off, the family plan to move from Lea Village/Kitts Green.

“I have got a newly-born sister now, just turned four months, things are just starting to come together,” said Redmond.

“We’re going to try and move out of the area, so my brother and sister have a better upbringing than I had.  I’m not saying mine was bad, but theirs can be a lot better to what mine has been and I can just influence that.”

Redmond said although his mum was claret and blue, he was a blue.

“I have been sitting in the family paddock since I was eight. Me and Mitch Hancox, who was on the bench on Thursday. We’ve come through the ranks together.

“We used to see players like Stan Lazaridis and chant them on down the field. And now I just can’t believe I’m playing in front of everyone else. It’s just madness.”

Redmond said Chris Hughton and the senior players have kept him grounded since the Europa League play-off defeat of CD Nacional.

“They have just said what I’ve done is fantastic, but now it’s time to move onto the next one.

“I have had my praise and I’m happy how I’ve performed. Now it’s concentrating on the game against Watford.”