Gary McAllister is hoping the arrival of several quality signings this summer will help convince Ashley Young to remain at Aston Villa.
McAllister admits it has been "a pretty frustrating season" despite Villa finishing ninth in the Barclays Premier League after back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Liverpool. Young, who has 12 months remaining of his current contract, has been linked with moves to Manchester United or Liverpool, but caretaker boss McAllister is refusing to give up hope.
He said: "I can fully understand people being interested in Ashley and there is the lure of the Champions League. It is a wonderful tournament to play in, but we are going to try and convince him to stay here and maybe one or two signings might make him change his mind."
"You live in hope."
McAllister expects manager Gerard Houllier, who is likely to return to Villa Park following his heart problems, to stamp his mark on the club via the type of players he brings in.
He said: "There are no two managers that think the same way and Gerard is no different.
"He wants to get players who will believe in his ethos, the way he likes to run things and players will have to go.
"But equally the players we bring in have got to be better than the ones we've got. That is the big job."
One of Houllier's priorities could be a goalkeeper if Brad Friedel opts to return to Liverpool on a two-year deal.
Source: PA
