ASHLEY Young has launched an impassioned defence of his integrity and denied he is a cheat ahead of potentially his last-ever match for Villa this weekend.

Young could be pulling on the claret and blue for the final time with suitors, including Sunday’s opponents Liverpool, expected to bid for him in the summer.

The 25-year-old England star’s delay over signing a bumper new contract at Villa Park could spark a £20 million scramble for his services in the close season.

Premier League champions Manchester United are strongly interested in signing Young, while FA Cup winners Manchester City are also monitoring the situation.

But before then Young is anxious to rid himself of the play-acting reputation which has blighted him throughout his four-and-a-half year spell at Villa.

Young has won more free-kicks than any other Premier League player this season with top-flight referees ruling he was fouled 88 times before last Sunday.

But the former Watford favourite insists accusations that he is a diver are more painful than the bumps and bruises his shins sport from illegal tackles.

Young has 12 yellow cards for club and country this season, but none for simulation, and he believes officials would book him if they felt he went down easily.

“I think people saying that I go down too easily hurts more than being booted up in the air, to be honest,” said Young.

“I hear that on numerous occasions and then you look at the stats of me being the most fouled player.

“Is it me that’s going down easily or is it that I am genuinely being fouled?

“Referees are now booking players for simulation, so if players are diving then they’re going to get booked.

“I’ve not been booked for diving, but I’ve been the most fouled player.

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. It’s always going to be said that people are diving in the Premier League, but you just have to get on with it.”