Aston Villa FC

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• Manager:Gerard Houllier

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Young choice shocked O'Neill

13 Nov 2009 - 13:39:51

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Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has spoken of his surprise that defender Luke Young has decided to retire from international football.

The 30-year-old right-back rejected a belated call-up for England's friendly with Brazil in Qatar this weekend, having decided to bow out of the international scene after winning seven caps.

O'Neill told his club's official website: "My own personal view is that you should try to keep going for as long as you can - both at club level and international. However, at the end of the day, it's his decision.

"It's always up to the individual, particularly with international football. It's not my position to decide for people one way or the other. I do not know what has gone on before or what made him come to that decision.

"Am I glad? No, not really. He is still very young but ultimately I accept his decision. It's not like he's 33 or 34 and injury-prone like Martin Laursen, where you have to make a choice.

"It's a hard one. I do not know the reasons why Luke decided to retire in the first place.

"England will be disappointed because it was an opportunity for him, but you have to respect what the player wants. It's Luke's prerogative to do what he wants."