Young looks on the bright side

ASHLEY YOUNG has come to symbolise Aston Villa’s tumultuous season, his early-term sparkle having long since rubbed off to leave nothing but faded memories.

Like everyone else at Villa Park, the England winger is acutely aware of the sense of anti-climax surrounding the club’s campaign, which for so long promised to end with qualification for the Champions League — the supposedly impossible dream in the era of the ‘Big Four’.

But Young believes Aston Villa still have reason to be cheerful, as they remain on course to finishing fifth in the table after claiming sixth last year.

“I have always stated that if we finish higher than last season it would be a brilliant season,” he said. “We are on course for that and everyone at the club is pulling in the right direction.”

Young found the target for the first time since December — his cross-shot deceiving Jussi Jaaskelainen two minutes before half-time — but Bolton drew level when Tamir Cohen marked his first start of an injury-plagued season with the equaliser 16 minutes later.

Bolton manager Gary Megson has already held talks with chairman Phil Gartside about beefing up what he considers is a threadbare squad. Gartside said: “I do believe we are moving forward and progressing well. Work is under way in identifying our targets for next season.”

Megson added: “There needs to be a bit of perspective. Our subs’ bench against Villa did not cost one penny.

“It consisted of free transfers, people that have come through the ranks and loan players. We do not have a huge amount of quality but the players have hearts as big as buckets.”

BOLTON (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen 6, Steinsson 6, Cahill 6, A O’Brien 6 (Puygrenier 78, 5), Samuel 6, K Davies 7, McCann 6, Muamba 5, Cohen 6 (Basham 87, 5), Taylor 5, Elmander 4.

Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Smolarek, Riga, Makukula.

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Friedel 6, Knight 6, Davies 6, Cuellar 6, Shorey 6, Milner 7, Petrov 5, Barry 6, A Young 5, Heskey 5 (Delfouneso 76, 5), Carew 6.

Subs Not Used: Guzan, Sidwell, Salifou, Gardner, Albrighton, Clark.

REFEREE: Lee Probert (Wiltshire) 7: Kept control, although this was a good-tempered game.

MATCH RATING: ** Both sides gave the impression that they simply want this season to end.