O'Neill - Duo are respected

Youngsters are receiving more attention

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 8th April 2008

Ashley Young Gabriel Agbonlahor

Agbonlahor & Young: Dynamic duo

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Martin O'Neill believes that Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor have become marked men.

The duo have played a significant role in Aston Villa's push for a European spot this season, and have even forced their way into the international reckoning after a string of impressive displays.

Their pace and trickery has seen them singled out by opposing defenders as the men to watch, but their manager feels that they have coped with the extra attention manfully.

Surprise

"If you have been a surprise one season, you are given a bit more respect in the second year and players won't treat you so lightly," said O'Neill.

"That has happened to Ashley and now almost inevitably it has happened to Gabby but he has still been able to elude good defenders. He has done very well.

"With Ashley, I think there has been a definite shift in terms of teams closing him down quickly.

"Even if playing against really top quality defenders, they are calling for a bit more help for themselves, getting midfielders to screen in front of them.

"They are making sure there is less distance from themselves to the keeper so someone like Ashley doesn't get that much space to run into. But it is up to good players to be able to see that and do something about that."

Expectation

Young has emerged as an exciting prospect since arriving at Villa Park from Watford in January 2007, and after excelling in a free role against Bolton on Saturday, O'Neill admits that he is reluctant to tie his playmaker down to one position.

"We just let him play," said the Villa boss.

"He enjoys that. He can play down either wing. He can pick the ball up in the middle. He can conjure something for us.

"Ashley has set enormously high standards this season, so much so that the expectation when he picks the ball up is so high. I don't really want to tie him down (to a certain role).

"The problem about not tying him down is, if you are looking to go wide left, when actually Ashley is wide right, it might not be what you want."