An Academy product of Watford, Ashley Young played a key role in their promotion-winning campaign of 2005-06, backing up the 35-goal front pairing of Marlon King and Darius Henderson with 13 Championship strikes of his own. The quicksilver left-winger, who can also play up front, is at his best running at defenders and his upper-body strength belies his slight frame. He scored on his Hornets debut against Millwall in September 2003.

LAST SEASON

It's every player's dream to score on his debut, and Ashley Young did exactly that when he joined Villa from Watford in January. Unfortunately, his well-taken goal at St. James' Park wasn't enough to prevent a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United, but at least he was able to savour his first goal at Villa Park, an angled shot in the 3-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Young cost the club an initial £8m, a figure which could rise to £9.6m depending on appearances and international caps, but the level-headed youngster was clearly unaffected by the weight of expectation on his shoulders.

During his early days at Villa Park, he formed a striking partnership with fellow new boy John Carew but by the end of the season his more acknowledged position was as a wide midfielder.

Having come through the ranks at Vicarage Road, he was told by Watford at one stage that he wouldn't be offered a YTS place but took up their offer of doing some part-time work and training. It was, needless to say, a decision he didn't regret as he worked his way into the first team and then caught the eye of a number of big clubs.

An England under-21 international, he was selected by Stuart Pearce for the 2007 UEFA under-21 championship finals in Holland.

"I'm pretty versatile and I'm happy whether I'm playing up front or on the wing."