Bent: ‘Villa can move on from Young’

Darren Bent has expressed his confidence that Aston Villa will not be thrown into chaos if Ashley Young moves on.

Young, who has been at Villa Park for four and a half years, recently said that he aspires to play football “at the highest levels”, including in the Champions League; an expected upcoming move to Manchester United would provide the opportunity.

“No-one can ever question Ashley’s loyalty,” Bent is quoted as saying. “He has stayed here for four or five years and has been brilliant. But one player doesn’t make a team.

“If we lose Ash, then it’s a big chunk of the team missing, but we’ve got people who can step in and do well. Mark Albrighton came in this season and was brilliant.”

Sir Alex Ferguson is thought to be interested in winger Young as a successor to Ryan Giggs. The potential four-year deal is thought to be worth in the region of £20m.