![Prost International [PINT]](https://prostinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/PINTtFontLogoRoboto1536x78.jpg)
Are there any comparisons between the current Aston Villa side and Martin O’Neill’s impressive squad from 2007-10?
Luke Young played for Aston Villa between 2008 and 2011, making 89 appearances in total as O’Neill’s team finished as high as sixth in the Premier League. Pat Rowe had the opportunity to speak to the 41-year-old about how the side he played in compares to the current crop.
Dean Smith’s current Aston Villa side have been a joy to watch, which in recent years, isn’t something Villa fans have associated with the club and Premier League football. With optimism going into every game, free-flowing football and some genuinely quality players, watching Villa is arguably the highlight of every fan’s week in these dark times.
With this success, comes obvious comparisons to the most successful Villa squad in the modern Premier League era. Martin O’Neill’s Villa squad from 2007-2010 qualified for European football three times, as well as reaching a League Cup final.
Are there any similarities between the current Villa team and the successful team of the late 2000s? There is no better way to find out than to speak to former England and Aston Villa right-back Luke Young who was a vital part of the success.
Young played 75 games for Villa, including 34 appearances in the 2008/09 season which saw Villa enjoy competitive campaigns in Europe, with specific reference to a historic 2-1 win at home against an Ajax team which featured future star Luis Suarez. Young outlined the mentality of that squad during that time.
“Looking back on the 2008/09 season I think we were pretty confident going into games, knowing the squad had finished 6th the season before we knew we would win more games than we would lose.
“One thing the manager demanded was that we had a go to win every game, which meant generally it was great viewing for the fans and with so many great attacking players, we played to our strengths.”
Immediately, this draws similarities to the current Villa squad, with heavy wins over Liverpool and Arsenal already this season. It doesn’t matter who Villa play; both the fans and players go into each game believing they can come away with all three points.
This current Villa side are competing with the likes of Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Chelsea in order to finally bring European football back to Villa Park. Young outlined his experience of European football at Villa.
“The European nights at Villa Park were fantastic that season, especially the Ajax game. The atmosphere that night was electric. Ajax had a team full of stars in the making and we played well for the 2-1 win… Villa are a good squad that can maybe push for Europe this season, but I do worry about the inconsistency in results.”
If Villa wish to push on and qualify for Europe, they must eradicate performances like West Ham, Brighton and Burnley.
In the 2008/09 season the squad was riddled from head to toe in quality, but a specific standout performer was Young’s namesake, Ashley Young, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year. The 41-year-old sees similarities in the effect on the team Jack Grealish currently has for Villa to what Ashley Young produced over a decade ago.
“Ashley Young won PFA Young Player of the Year that year, he was tremendous, assisting and scoring some really important goals. Although different players, Jack Grealish this season is the same.
“He is the talisman of the side, a special player that would probably get into every team in the league. Villa will have to fend off some massive bids in the summer for him and if he continues his current form he will be close to the individual accolades at the end of the season.”
This is high praise from the former Villa right back, and he shares this opinion with many. Grealish will certainly be in the conversation come the end of the season, and that alone is an honour in itself.
Young made seven appearances for the England national team. Making his debut on the 28th May 2005 as a sub in a 2-1 win against the USA. Being an England international himself, does Young deem any of the other members of this Villa squad worthy of an England call up?
“Villa have a good nucleus of English players in the side, I’m sure my old Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate will be watching closely. Already in the squad there’s Grealish and Mings and I’ve been impressed with how quickly Watkins has settled into Premier League football, if he continues to score goals he won’t be far away from a call up.
“Matty Cash has been excellent, he’s probably unlucky positionally as right back is England’s strongest strength in depth position. Add to this list Barkley, Konza, and Targett. Villa Park would be a great place to take a game in for the England manager.”
The all English backline have certainly impressed many this season and it will be interesting to see whether or not England manager Southgate has taken notice.
Finally, there are many comparisons of these teams and similarities we can make, but the obvious question to ask is head to head, which team would win?
“I think the 2008 side would come out on top in my eyes. The squad from 07/08 through to 09/10 came sixth three years in a row, so proved we were one of the better teams in the league. Back then the top three or four were real power houses in the league making it almost impossible to break into.
“I’m excited for the next couple of years to see this Villa side grow together and hopefully challenge for European positions and cup silverware.”
Young quickly became a fan favourite due to his performances in a Villa shirt. His contributions and insight into that Villa squad are invaluable.
The entertaining performances have given Villa fans a welcome distraction during lockdown, and with the current Premier League season seemingly never failing to surprise, a strong second half to the season could have fans dreaming of European football returning to Villa Park.
