Houllier hoping Ashley Young will 'do a Rooney' and reconsider desire to quit Villa
Published 23:00 22/10/10 By James Nursey
Gerard Houllier says Aston Villa must convince Ashley Young of their ambitions after admitting the England star may have been tapped up.
Young who has 10 caps, is out of contract at Villa in July 2012 when his £65,000-a-week deal expires.
The talented wideman, 25, has broken off negotiations over a new four-year contract.
Long-term admirers Spurs remain keen on signing Young after Harry Redknapp failed to land him this summer.
New Villa boss Houllier, whose side visit Sunderland today, faces a huge challenge to secure the player’s long-term future.
Asked whether Young has been tapped up, Houllier replied: “You never know in football.
“At the end of the season he will see where he can go. We have shown we want to keep him, we like the boy and I think he likes the place. He knows he will improve here and he knows he is a key part of our future.
“But he needs to know about the ambition of the club.
“Players need to know we want to move forward. They can see our vision but it will take time.”
Spurs were unable to afford Young’s prize tag or personal terms after he demanded £75,000-a-week to quit.
But Tottenham then inflicted Houllier’s only defeat as Villa manager this month.
Now if Villa cannot agree fresh terms with him, Houllier added: “Maybe we will keep him until the end of his contract.
“We don’t want to lose two or three months talking now so we’ll sit down at the end of the season.”
Young, who wants a buy-out clause in any new deal, also gets a £200,000 loyalty bonus at the beginning and end of every season he stays at Villa.
