Ashley Young’s expected move to Manchester United is unlikely to go through before the Villa star’s wedding this weekend.
United’s top brass have been in talks with their claret and blue counterparts in an attempt to strike a deal to take the England star to Old Trafford.
Villa chairman Randy Lerner has been trying to fit a meeting with Young and his advisors around his search for a new manager.
Young is set to tell Lerner he has no intention of signing the bumper contract extension he has been offered with one year left of his current deal.
It is expected to pave the way for Young to join the Premier League champions, providing United meet Villa’s valuation, believed to be around £20 million.
But, despite reports suggesting he could be a Red Devil in the next 48 hours, the finer points of the transfer are unlikely to be completed before Young marries his partner Nicky in his native Hertfordshire on Saturday.
Lerner is resigned to losing the attacker they signed from Watford for £9 million-plus in January 2007 and Young re-iterated his Champions League ambitions after his man-of-the-match second half cameo in England’s draw with Switzerland last weekend.
Villa’s European Cup winning legend Tony Morley believes Marc Albrighton could fill the void left by Young’s departure and insists it is more important that the club persuade Stewart Downing to stay this summer.
Downing has been linked with Liverpool and after hinting he was willing to sign an extension to his remaining two years, the former Middlesbrough star has now decided to put his contract talks on hold.
Morley reckons Downing is more vital to Villa because his left foot brings greater balance to the claret and blues.
“I personally, out of the two, would rather have Downing than Young,” said Morley. “I’m not saying that because one’s better than the other, just for the simple reason that Downing’s a better natural left-sided player.
“I know he plays on the right. But I personally think if Marc Albrighton improves in the next year or so he could do the job that Young’s doing on the wing and he’ll get crosses in.
“Every team needs a natural left-sided player and I think Downing’s ideal. I think he’s had a superb season and he can only get better.
“I think if you can get £18-20 million for Ashley Young I’d take it and then look around for somebody else. I think he’s made it clear he wants to move on so there’s no point in keeping an unhappy player.
“If you get rid of Young and get big money then you’ve got two players who can do jobs on the wings anyway.”
