Former England and Aston Villa boss Graham Taylor is delighted to see Ashley Young win a senior Three Lions call-up.

Taylor recalled to Villa's website: "I first became aware of Ashley when, as a 10-year-old, he was one of the first youngsters in Watford's Academy. A slip of a lad with loads of talent on the ball.

"By the time I had left the club he had hardly altered physically and those in charge at the time felt he would be unable to meet the physical demands of the professional game and he was not offered a scholarship.

"This would have killed most lads off. But Ashley stayed with the club on a non-contract basis and continued to travel in from Stevenage each day to turn up for training.

"Within six months and with the support of Chris Cummins, one of the club's youth coaches, he convinced Watford to think again and he was offered a scholarship."

Taylor continued: "Since signing professional, Young has helped Watford gain promotion to the Premier League, became a regular in the England Under-21 team, signed for Aston Villa for £9 million and has started this season in top form. What's next? A regular in the England team?

"I am not a total believer that when things are tough you should always fall back on the help of the older and more experienced players.

"Some of that experience includes failure and you have to be careful that does not rub off on the younger players.

"Even if it is because of injuries, it is good to see the likes of Young and David Bentley in the squad, although Bentley may have something to prove to some people after such a late withdrawal from the England Under-21 squad last summer."