Aston Villa's Luke Young admits defensive frailties are causing problems

Apr 16 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

Luke Young

LUKE Young admits Villa need to strike a balance between all-out attack and more dogged defending to get back to winning ways.

Villa’s 3-2 defeat at Manchester United and 3-3 draw with Everton were two of the most entertaining matches of the season.

But Young insists Martin O’Neill’s team must try to tighten up their leaky back-line without compromising their forward fluency.

Villa have conceded 24 goals in their past 10 games without a win and have not kept a clean sheet during that period.

“It is something that comes with the territory with the way we play,” said the former Tottenham, Charlton and Middlesbrough full-back.

“We are so expansive that at times we do leave ourselves so short and we get counter-attacked ourselves.

“At the moment we are not doing well enough as a back four or as a team defensive-wise.

“We don’t want to stop anything on our attacking play because at the minute it is a joy to watch at times with the boys flowing forward.