Chris Brunt warning on Ashley Young danger

Sep 18 2008 By Chris Lepkowski

CHRIS Brunt believes Albion will need to be at their very best to keep out Ashley Young in Sunday’s West Midlands derby.

The Villa forward is expected to be left out of today’s game against Litex Lovech in readiness for the Hawthorns’ fixture.

Young has made great progress since his big-money move from Watford in January, 2007.

Brunt has been impressed with Young’s displays over the last 18 months and believes Albion must ensure he is kept at bay.

And the Baggies winger admits that Young’s lack of opportunities with England are working in Villa’s favour.

“He’s been phenomenal for Villa,” said the Northern Ireland international.

“When he moved from Watford he had a high price tag and a lot of pressure on him.

“But he seems to have taken everything in his stride.

“Ashley has done really well. He’s probably Villa’s main threat and Villa are a top side in the Premier League.

“He’s developing into a really good Premier League player.

“We’re going to have to be at our best to try and stop him.

“He should be in the England squad but at the end of the day Villa are getting the benefits from him not being away with England.

“In that respect it’s swings and roundabouts for him.

“Over the last year he has been one of the best players in the Premier League.”

Brunt admits he holds Villa boss and fellow Northern Irelander Martin O’Neill in high esteem as well.

“He was a top player for Northern Ireland,” continued Brunt.

“He’s probably a cult figure in Northern Ireland for people in my dad’s generation.

“He was at World Cups as well and there aren’t too many people in Northern Ireland who have been at World Cups.

“He did a good job for Celtic up the road and when he was down here with Leicester.

“Martin’s merited his chance and he’s done well with Villa. He’s a good manager and he’s proved himself in the Premier League.”