O’Neill and Young claim monthly gongs

ASTON VILLA’S excellent form in December has helped Martin O’Neill and Ashley Young scoop the Barclays manager and player of the month awards.

It is the sixth time O’Neill has won the manager’s prize, while winger Young becomes the first player to win the award three times in a single calendar year, having also picked up the award in April and September.

The midlands club are currently fourth in the Premier League, three points clear of Arsenal.