Source: Team_Talk
Houllier won't give up on Young
Gerard Houllier admits Aston Villa could keep Ashley Young until the end of his current contract should he not sign a new deal.[LNB] Young has 20 months left of the four-year contract he signed in 2008 and has shelved talks on any possible extension until the end of the current campaign.[LNB]That would leave him with only 12 months to run and he could leave for nothing in 2012 if he opts not to sign on the dotted line.[LNB]But Houllier does not want to sell Young and revealed running down the contract is a possibility should no new deal be tied up with the England winger.[LNB]Houllier said: "The club is protected until 2012. He is not at the end of his contract this season.[LNB]"If he is four years on his contract, and he wants to leave next year, then it's the same.[LNB]"To me, the main thing is we have shown that we want to keep him, we like the boy, I think he likes the place where he is.[LNB]"He probably knows that he will improve so it is just a matter of time whether he signs now or the end of the season.[LNB]"Obviously at the end of the season something is going to have to come out."[LNB]Houllier added: "It is not a matter of selling Ashley. We don't want to sell him, we want to keep him.[LNB]"Maybe we will keep him until the end of his contract. Is that a possibility? Yes."[LNB]Houllier was also asked whether he thought Young, who has been closely linked with a move to Tottenham may have been tapped up.[LNB]There have also been reports the former Watford player wants a get-out clause in any possible new deal.[LNB]Houllier said: "Could Young have been tapped up? "You never know in football.[LNB]"I've read that Tottenham are after him and that he is after a clause. He has no clause anyway."[LNB]Houllier believes the most important factor for Young at this juncture is to continue to improve his game.[LNB]He has impressed in the new 'hole' role given him by Houllier and earned his first competitive start for England in last week's Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro at Wembley.[LNB]Houllier said: "I think it is true when Ashley said he wants to concentrate on his football.[LNB]"I spoke to him and said 'the main target for you is to improve, to step up a level.[LNB]"To do that you can't lose two months or three months talking. He said 'okay, at the end of the season we will sit and talk.'[LNB]"That is fine, I am happy with that."
