Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor shortlisted for PFA Young Player of the Year

Apr 11 2008 By Bill Howell

ASHLEY Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor have both made the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

But they face stiff competition in the shape of Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have also been shortlisted for the senior award.

The two young England hopefuls have been rewarded for consistently impressive performances this season that have resulted in international

recognition, even if Agbonlahor is yet to win his first cap under Fabio Capello.

Manchester City's Micah Richards is also in the frame.

Meanwhile, Martin O'Neill has revealed his determination to get Dutch defender Wilfred Bouma to sign a contract extension.

Villa have just two and a half weeks to notify the former PSV player as to whether they will take up the one year option they hold.

"He's tried to work at his game and there are obviously things he'd still like to improve on, but overall he's done very well", said O'Neill.

"We've got an option for another year, but I would want to be sitting down with Freddie and his agent and seeing about the possibility of even extending that further.

"We'll have to see. I'd like to see what's on Freddie's mind first of all; he might be absolutely and utterly fed-up with us! But in terms of this season, he's been ever present and that's terrific."