Young Gun Shoots Up Actim

Young Gun

Villa starlet makes Actim statement

Ashley Young’s stock continues to rise after another devastating performance for Aston Villa saw him climb to fourth place in the Actim Index, the official player ratings system of the Barclays Premier League.

Young scored twice in the 5-1 hammering of Birmingham City to help claim the week’s highest score, his 67-point haul easily the best of the week, bettering Newcastle’s Michael Owen by 21 points.

It also saw him break through the 600-point barrier, moving onto 604 for the season, 14 behind third-placed Fernando Torres of Liverpool.

It is a remarkable score from the England international, considering he has netted 15 goals fewer than the Spaniard, although his 17 assists this term is only bettered by Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas who has 19.

It was also a fine return from John Carew, who earned 45 points in the same game, Villa skipper Gareth Barry moving up a place to ninth overall with 23 points.

Analysis of all Premier League games is taking place throughout the season and the players in the Actim Index Team of the Week are:

Name Team Position Weekly Score

Jose Reina, Liverpool, Goalkeeper, 24
Gary Cahill, Bolton Wanderers, Defender, 36
Andy O’Brien, Bolton Wanderers, Defender, 25
Tyrone Mears, Derby County, Defender, 22
Kolo Toure, Arsenal, Defender, 21
Jermaine Pennant, Liverpool, Midfielder, 44
Gilberto Silva, Arsenal, Midfielder, 32
Gavin McCann, Bolton Wanderers, Midfielder, 31
Michael Essien, Chelsea, Midfielder, 30
Ashley Young, Aston Villa, Striker, 67
Michael Owen, Newcastle United, Striker, 46

The Actim Index is calculated using a unique mathematical formula that rates each player’s contribution be it goals, shots, passes, dribbles, tackles, crosses, saves, clearances, blocks, interceptions, assists, clean sheets, time on the pitch or number of points gained by the team with marks deducted for red and yellow cards.

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