Young looking for Villa to start in style

Aug 11 2007 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

ASHLEY Young is confident Villa can start the new season in style by toppling Liverpool at Villa Park today, insisting that both he and his team-mates are bursting with confidence.

Villa are looking to beat the Reds for the first time since September 2001 and the first time on home soil since February 1998.

Liverpool have spent close to £50million this summer as opposed to the net £3.5million, plus a loan fee for Scott Carson spent by Martin O'Neill.

But Young is not looking for excuses: "Everyone is spending money and bringing in players but all that matters is what you do on the pitch.

"We all know Liverpool have spent money bringing in players, but we've got to concentrate on ourselves and everyone here has a really good feeling going into the game. We just have to go out there and do the business.

"Liverpool are a top-four team and hopefully Villa will be as well one day. We want to be in the Champions League - who wouldn't want to be? - so we're looking forward to pitting our wits against a side who are expected to be there every year," said the England under-21 ace.

"It will be a tough test but I think everyone is looking forward to it. Everyone is feeling well and raring to go and I think we'll do well.

"These are the sort of teams I want to be testing myself against and it doesn't bother us that more signings haven't arrived yet. That's down to the manager and his staff.

"We're really confident we can make a good start - we've had a really good pre-season, everyone's full of confidence at the club and everyone can't wait for the game and the season as a whole."

Young has been in scintillating form all summer. "It's great to be going into the season flying and doing really well in pre-season has helped," he said.

He is set to play an attacking role behind John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor later today, and he admits to a liking for the position.

"Playing just behind the front two, I enjoy that role. I played there last Saturday against Inter and loved it because I got a lot of the ball and I felt good playing there."