No Aston Villa player can take their place for granted after a summer of squad strengthening. Villa boss Martin O'Neill invested £48million on new talent during the close season and has described the current squad as the best in his time at Villa Park.

Young told The Express and Star : "There have been quite a few additions to the squad - the manager said he would and he has. The players that have come in have done brilliantly.

"The ones in the team, the ones in the squad - everyone is fighting for their places.

"Even if you are in the team and doing well you still know there is someone that wants to get your place, so that's why everyone has been doing so well and has been kept on their toes.

"If you look at the squad now it's very strong."