Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Wednesday May 20 2009
Time: 11:03AM
UK time is: 12:43:11
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The Vital Villa Young Player Of The Year Is...
Vital Villa asked, in our first end of season award poll, for your young player of the season.
To be fair to the three lowest, Brad Guzan and Nathan Delfouneso on 2% and Craig Gardner on 3%, they weren't regulars throughout the season and in fact hardly featured!
So of the three main contenders, we had Ashley Young, James Milner and Gabby Agbonlahor.
Ashley Young came out the clear winner with 57% of the votes after a great season. Ok it has tapered off slightly towards the end but he has certainly put himself on the map and helped Villa make a charge for the top four.
Next up came Villa's record signing, James Milner, who joined last summer from Newcastle United. He got 31% of the vote (including mine!). I love the guys determination and energy and think he'll become a very important player for us over the years. Be nice to see him shoot more because he certainly has goals in him as we saw the other week with that fantastic free kick!
Then came Gabby with just 5%. There seems to be mixed opinions on whether Gabby is going to really break through. He did push early on and has 12 league goals and 1 Uefa Cup goal but has he really pushed on from last season?
I was always happy that he was progressing season on season until it was pointed out in our forum that he actually hasn't stats wise!
2007-08 he got 11 league goals, 2006-07 9 league and 1 League Cup. So he is averaging pretty similar per season and this season he has been used almost exclusively as our main line striker. Some of the chances he has missed this season close up have cost us dearly in our attempts to break the monopoly of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool but then, it can surely STILL be said he is young and learning and is still only 23.
Maybe next season things will become clearer and he will take another step forwards? The worry is John Carew is on 13 goals this season despite missing 20 odd games?
What do you reckon, is Gabby peaking or is there plenty more to come from the Villa youngster? Surely a striker doesn't reach his best until mid to late 20's?
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Your Comments
I was going to say gabby reminds me of vassel but old darius chased back and put in side tackles on people all the time.Gabby is a good player but does he do enough to start week in week out at a top 6 club?Milner and young have been great this season really pleased with them,I know young gets the hype but i think milner is a better player.
lerneravfc
I was going to say gabby reminds me of vassel but old darius chased back and put in side tackles on people all the time.Gabby is a good player but does he do enough to start week in week out at a top 6 club?Milner and young have been great this season really pleased with them,I know young gets the hype but i think milner is a better player.
lerneravfc
It's pretty obvious that Gabby, having been ran into the ground in the first half of the season wasn't going to be the same player in the second half of the season. From what I can tell, his all-round game is improving all the time, and the quality he has was summed up in (appropriately enough) the first game of the season with his 'perfect' hat-trick. Suggestions that he's a lazy player who believes his own hype bemuse me. What he needs is the odd rest now and then (as most players, and particularly strikers, do), and the unqualified backing of the crowd on match days wouldn't hurt. I voted for him as young player of the season, and I think for half the season he was our player of the season. I wouldn't expect everyone to share that view, but that he comes in for so much criticism amazes me.
Albarnista
It's pretty obvious that Gabby, having been ran into the ground in the first half of the season wasn't going to be the same player in the second half of the season. From what I can tell, his all-round game is improving all the time, and the quality he has was summed up in (appropriately enough) the first game of the season with his 'perfect' hat-trick. Suggestions that he's a lazy player who believes his own hype bemuse me. What he needs is the odd rest now and then (as most players, and particularly strikers, do), and the unqualified backing of the crowd on match days wouldn't hurt. I voted for him as young player of the season, and I think for half the season he was our player of the season. I wouldn't expect everyone to share that view, but that he comes in for so much criticism amazes me.
Albarnista
Ashleys assists column wins him this award hands down for me...thats no mean feat!
Euro_Champs_82
Ashleys assists column wins him this award hands down for me...thats no mean feat!
Euro_Champs_82
Ashley was my vote, although the 2nd half of the season has not been as good as the 1st he is still th eonly player i think we have who can change the result of a game with a moment of magic. Gabby may not of scored many more goals than previou seasons but he still gives plenty of effort and has a fair amount of assists. Check out his position in the actim index http://actimindex.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/premover_index_top10024.gif
smirnoffshox
Ashley was my vote, although the 2nd half of the season has not been as good as the 1st he is still th eonly player i think we have who can change the result of a game with a moment of magic. Gabby may not of scored many more goals than previou seasons but he still gives plenty of effort and has a fair amount of assists. Check out his position in the actim index http://actimindex.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/premover_index_top10024.gif
smirnoffshox
Well here's a first: I agree with Albarnista! :o) Gabby is still a very young player, and relatively inexperienced. To compare the stats from just two seasons and then suggest he isn't improving is a little harsh, I feel. Not many players - even those of great experience - play well in a side that is struggling with injuries and lack of confidence. Give the lad a chance and let's see where he goes.
BobTheBuilder
Well here's a first: I agree with Albarnista! :o) Gabby is still a very young player, and relatively inexperienced. To compare the stats from just two seasons and then suggest he isn't improving is a little harsh, I feel. Not many players - even those of great experience - play well in a side that is struggling with injuries and lack of confidence. Give the lad a chance and let's see where he goes.
BobTheBuilder
wow i agree completely with Albarnista aswell. gabby lead for line for a sustained period of time. that was also the best part of our season results wise. his overall game has come on leaps and bounds. i still wonder if he is an out and out centre forward at times but he can definatley do a job for our team and for years to come. also i dont think to many english forwards had a better year.
1982benny
wow i agree completely with Albarnista aswell. gabby lead for line for a sustained period of time. that was also the best part of our season results wise. his overall game has come on leaps and bounds. i still wonder if he is an out and out centre forward at times but he can definatley do a job for our team and for years to come. also i dont think to many english forwards had a better year.
1982benny
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