Source: SKY_Sports
Young out to stop the rot
Aston Villa defender Luke Young is determined to help his side get back on track after what has been a difficult week for the club.[LNB] Villa were dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of Everton last Sunday, were held to a draw at home by CSKA Moscow in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup on Wednesday before losing to top four rivals Chelsea 1-0 at Villa Park on Saturday.[LNB]The defeat to Chelsea was Villa's first loss in 13 league games and leaves them occupying fourth spot, six points ahead of Arsenal.[LNB]But rather than let recent results get them down the 29-year-old full-back is optimistic the club can quickly turn around their fortunes.[LNB]"When we found ourselves on a winning run, sometimes we weren't playing particularly well, but we were winning games and it becomes a habit," Young said.[LNB]"With this run we're on now, we want to stop the rot as soon as possible, so if we get a win in Moscow then it will lift us again.[LNB]"It's a tie we're still in, one we can win and once you get past that then anything could happen.[LNB]"The lads will feel it was a waste of time putting in all the effort we did last Wednesday if we're not going to go over there and try to finish the job.[LNB]"It's also about the effort we put in last season and since the middle of July. It's no good playing games in mid-July if you get to this stage and then you don't have a go at it.[LNB]"Hopefully we'll give a good account of ourselves and maybe nick something."[LNB]TougherBut the task for Young and his team-mates has got a lot tougher after manager Martin O'Neill decided to fly to Moscow for Thursday's return leg with just three players who started against Chelsea at the weekend.[LNB]With O'Neill already battling with what is a relatively small squad some have suggested that his side have appeared jaded in their last couple of games.[LNB]The former Celtic boss seems to have addressed the situation and underlined what the priority is for this season with key players such as Gareth Barry, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Brad Friedel, James Milner, Carlos Cuellar, Stiliyan Petrov and Emile Heskey staying at home.[LNB]The former Charlton man understands his manager's concerns and admits that playing three times a week has had a negative effect on the team.[LNB]"It is a concern," he revealed.[LNB]"You have to try and win every single game if you want to compete with the top four, who at the moment are playing in midweek, the weekend, then midweek again.[LNB]"That's what we're doing at the moment, and it is a grind, it is tough. [LNB]"Last Wednesday (against CSKA) we put in such an effort to get back in the game, and then the thought was 'oh my god, I'm going to be warming up again soon ready for an early kick-off on Saturday.' [LNB]"For a few of us the legs were a bit tired against Chelsea, but you get your head round it and move on.[LNB]"It's what the top sides do, and what we have to do if we are to be like them. We have to put it to the back of our mind, get on with it, keep going and plugging away."[LNB]
