Young and Shorey in as Villa go defensive
Martin O’Neill completed a major overhaul of the Aston Villa defence last night when he added full-backs Luke Young and Nicky Shorey to his squad.
Shorey was the first of the England internationals to arrive after agreeing a switch from relegated Reading, while Young completed a medical and sealed a move from Middlesbrough hours later.
Young could make his first competitive appearance for the Villans in next week’s UEFA Cup qualifier against FH Hafnarfjordur – and he admits the promise of European football was a major element in his decision to leave the Riverside Stadium.
“The chance of European football was definitely an important factor in my decision. You always want to test yourself at the highest level,” he said.
“I had a brief stint playing European football at Tottenham. But that was almost 10 years ago, and it will be great to get another chance this season.
“It’s definitely a case that Villa’s ambitions match my own. I’ve worked hard over the last 10 years to perhaps get this chance to show what I can do on a little bit of a higher stage.”
Young also told www.avfc.co.uk he could have arrived last summer.
“Obviously I’m glad to be here now, but it could have been a year earlier. There was interest last summer, but it didn’t quite happen for whatever reason. I’m just glad to find myself here now,” he said.
Young spent just a season at Boro after his cut-price £2.5m move from Charlton, following the Addicks’ relegation.
He will finally provide Villa with a first-choice right-back after the departure of last year’s incumbent Olof Mellberg, who has since left the club for Juventus.
Young is Villa’s fifth summer signing after Shorey, Steve Sidwell and goalkeepers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan.
Shorey joined Villa and then paid tribute to the man whose horrific injury paved the way for his move to the midlands.
Twice-capped England defender Shorey, 27, had been expected to leave Reading since their relegation last season – with a number of clubs reportedly interested in his services.
The Londoner will fill the left-back berth left vacant by Wilfred Bouma, who dislocated his ankle recently, and provide long-term competition for places.
Shorey acknowledged that without the Dutchman’s misfortune, his future would have lain elsewhere.
“I’m under no illusions – if that hadn’t happened I probably wouldn’t be a Villa player,” he told Sky Sports News.
“I think everybody wishes him a speedy recovery and I’m no different. I hope he’ll be back soon and that will be great for everyone.
“Competition for places is key for any big club, and he’s a top-class full-back.”
O’Neill added: “Obviously the injury to ’Freddie’ [Bouma] has left a gaping hole on the left.
“But Nicky Shorey is more than a back-up. He’s a quality player on the ball and is up for the challenge.”
