Ashley Young has thanked Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill for keeping faith in him when his form dipped. Young said: "There have been times when people have said 'I've not had as good a season as last season'. But the manager has been full of praise for me, has always backed me non-stop, and I just want to do well for the team and the manager.

"He instils a lot of confidence into you.

"If you look at the displays, especially in the last weeks that I have put in, I am delighted with them - and just delighted how things are going for the club."