Threats toughened me up - Young

11 October 2010 07:40
Aston Villa's Ashley Young admits being threatened with having his leg broken as a Watford teenager helped to steel him for life as a winger.[LNB] Young, who could start England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro on Tuesday, revealed that his legs are covered in scars from the punishment handed out by opponents throughout his career.[LNB]The Villa player is a marked man and has often found teams doubling up on him to try and stop his pacey runs and deadly crossing.[LNB]But that first verbal altercation with former Wolves midfielder Kevin Muscat when he was just 18 helped to toughen up Young for the challenges ahead.[LNB]Young said: "As a winger, you get kicked all the time. I am one of those players who have many scars up and down their legs from being kicked.[LNB]"It is whether you have the character to get up again and say 'I am going to beat you' - or whether you crumble and don't want to play.[LNB]"I remember my first game for Watford. When I came on, Kevin Muscat's first words to me were 'don't go past me or I will break your legs'.[LNB]"From that day, the nerves left me and I concentrated on playing. I scored and I also didn't say anything to him at the end.[LNB]"When someone says that to you, when you are 18 and you are coming on for your first game, it is not the nicest thing to hear.[LNB]"You just have to get on with it. He just said it to wind me up. Whether you bite the bait and take it is down to each individual player.[LNB]"I don't think any player goes out to try and hurt their opponents."[LNB]Young, who has switched to a more central role under new Villa boss Gerard Houllier, added: "Wingers are the most fouled. But you have to concentrate on getting yourself up, brushing yourself off and going again.[LNB]"You have to be aware (of challenges) but you can't concentrate on it too much.[LNB]"If you are thinking about people tackling you, then you are not thinking about the game.[LNB]"I know I have a job to do. I have to concentrate on beating my opponent. It is the goal I have to get to."[LNB]Young could make his first England start at Wembley in the wide role as his former Villa team-mate James Milner is suspended.[LNB]He is not reknowned for making rash predictions but has never lacked confidence in his ability and wants to force his way into the starting XI under Fabio Capello.[LNB]Young said: "Everything is challenging. I have had different challenges throughout my career. This is another tough one.[LNB]"But I have every confidence in my own ability. I am a very confident player. Fingers crossed, I can hold down a spot in the team.[LNB]"It is important for me to play for my country. When I have applied myself and got a cap, I have done it in the right manner.[LNB]"If the chance comes, I intend to grab it with both hands."[LNB]Young believes Houllier can bring the best out of him at club level in the same way as his predecessor Martin O'Neill.[LNB]He said: "I always said Martin O'Neill is a great manager. He brought me to the club. He was fantastic to me. But things change in football.[LNB]"Now I am working under Gerard Houllier, who looks like another one who is looking to get the best out of me.[LNB]"For a manager to tell me to go out and play is all I need to hear. I am just doing the best I can.[LNB]"I see myself as a versatile player. Wherever the manager tells me to play, through the middle or right or left, I'll do it.[LNB]"Even if he tells me to play up front, I definitely know I can go out there and do a job."

Source: Team_Talk