Villa bid to keep Young out of Spurs' clutches

TRANSFER NEWS:ASTON VILLA are set to hold talks to resolve Ashley Young's future this week as the club seek to put together a new contract offer that will keep the winger out of Tottenham Hotspur's clutches.

Young has less than two years remaining on his current deal and has stated this summer that he would be happy to discuss extending his stay at the club beyond the summer of 2012.

Villa have yet to make a formal offer to the 25-year-old but the subject of a new contract has been on the agenda for several weeks and is set to form a key part of discussions between the two parties before the weekend.

Although Tottenham are keen to sign Young and would be able to offer the prospect of playing in the Champions League this season, the London club would not be in a position to significantly increase his salary. Young, who was recalled to the England squad for the friendly against Hungary on Wednesday, is the top-paid player at Villa Park, earning close to €78,000 per week, and Spurs would be reluctant to go above that level.

Villa have been trying to reduce their own wage bill, which climbed by 42 per cent in the accounts for the 2008-’09 season, but the club also appreciate the importance of holding on to one of their most influential players at a time when James Milner is on the verge of joining Manchester City. Villa supporters would not want to countenance losing Milner and Young in the same summer.

O’Neill suggested on Friday night that the Milner deal, which is expected to involve Stephen Ireland moving in the opposite direction, could be completed over the weekend but there was no sign of any progress last night.

The reason for the impasse after an agreement appeared to be so close is unclear, although Manchester City have indicated that the ball is in Villa’s court.

Milner will join the England squad today and if the transfer is not resolved by the close of play it could well have to wait until later in the week because of the Hungary match.