Young desperate to impress Capello

(GETTY IMAGES)

The Aston Villa winger Ashley Young has set himself the target of getting in England's World Cup squad next year after giving Fabio Capello a reminder of his talent over the weekend.

Capello watched Young score the opener at Bolton on Saturday, then was a guest of the Professional Footballers' Association the following day when the 23-year-old picked up the award for Young Player of the Year (right). The Stevenage-born midfielder has made four substitute appearances for his country and is determined to play a part in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after being left out of the last two squads. "Of course, the World Cup is the aim for a lot of players," he said. "I always want to do well for my country and fingers crossed I'll be able to get back into the England squad."

Young is disappointed that Villa's season has tailed off after being in the hunt for a Champions League place. "We've got to finish strong this season and we don't count ourselves out of anything yet. As long as it is mathematical we'll be chasing that fourth spot. With the amount of time we spent in fourth it was disappointing to have that blip."

Martin O'Neill is already looking to strengthen Villa's bid for honours next season. He said: "I have been checking out players up and down the country – any country. We had 15 games covered at the weekend.

"It will not be easy next season. Manchester City will be very strong. They have got the wherewithal and the financial clout to do something about it. And Tottenham Hotspur spent big in January."