Long-awaited clean sheet a relief for Luke Young

Dec 7 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

Luke Young

DEFENDER Luke Young admits Villa’s back-line were relieved to keep their first clean sheet in ten Premier League games in the shut-out against Hull.

Young played an important part in frustrating the Tigers, but the experienced right-back preferred to praise defensive colleagues Richard Dunne, Carlos Cuellar and Stephen Warnock.

“We said at half-time when we were 2-0 up, if as a back four we can keep a clean sheet then that’s job done and that’s what we did in the second-half,” said Young.

“They were a bit more direct in the second half, but Dunney and Carlos at the moment are playing really well together.

“Warnock has done well since he’s been here, so it was a good clean sheet.”

Young was less impressed with his own contribution at the opposite end after wasting a glaring opportunity to get on the scoresheet himself at the start of the match.

The former Middlesbrough man burst through on goal after just 22 seconds, but with only the goalkeeper to beat dragged his effort wide of the far post.

“I’ve been getting a bit of stick in the dressing room,” added Young.

“I think it was a bit too early for me, nose bleed territory, but I should have done better and scored.

“Dunney showed me and Emile Heskey how to do it from the same position and just smashed it in off the crossbar. His was a great finish.”