Young - Happy, Settled & Up For It

Ashley Young says he doesn't mind where he plays in the Villa team having been utilised on the right, left, as a striker and also, against Inter Milan, in the hole behind the front two, who last weekend was Gabby and Luke Moore.

Mr Speedy, told the official site,

'I enjoyed playing in the hole (against Inter) - I've always said I don't mind where I'm playing as long as I'm in the team. Playing just behind the front two I enjoyed that role - I played there on Saturday and I loved it because I got a lot of the ball and I felt good playing there. I feel the more I'm on the ball, the better it is for Villa - whether I'm playing out on the wing or behind the front two. As long as I can do what I'm good at, then I'm happy and I can produce either a goal or a pass that leads to us scoring to help us win the game.'

And on the pre-season preparations he feels Villa are well prepared and confident adding: 'It's great to be going into the season flying and doing really well in pre-season has helped. I feel I've had a good pre-season and I can't wait for the Liverpool game. I went into the European Under-21 championship with a lot of confidence after playing well in the last few games of last season. I was happy with the way things were going and I was just looking to carry that on and hopefully I can go out against Liverpool and do well again.'

He warns it will be a 'tough test' but that these are the challenges that Villa have got to rise to.

'Villa want to be in the Champions' League - who wouldn't want to be there? So we're looking forward to pitting our wits against a side who are expected to be there every year. Everyone is spending money and bringing in players but all that matters is what you do on the pitch. We all know Liverpool have spent money bringing in players, but we've got to concentrate on ourselves and everyone here has a really good feeling going into the game and go out there and do the business. It doesn't bother us that more signings haven't arrived yet. That's down to the manager and his staff. As players, we just want to get down to training and get the games going.'

Anyone else pacing up and down and full of butterflies in the old belly? Thought so!

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