Ashley Young relishing return to Aston Villa

Ashley Young is hoping for a friendly welcome when he returns to Aston Villa tomorrow for the first time since his summer move to Manchester United.

But the 26-year-old will have no compunction in doing everything in his power to help United secure three points against his old club to keep in touch with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Young said: "I'm excited about going back. I have very happy memories of my time there and hopefully I'll get a warm reception. But I'm just concentrating on going there and doing well.

"I've still got friends there who I speak to pretty much every week so it will be nice to go back there and see them. It will be even nicer if we come back winning. If we apply ourselves in the right way I'm sure we'll get the three points."

Young, who scored 39 times in 193 appearances in his four and a half years at Villa, insisted that United will haul back City's lead in the table.

He added: "I don't think you can talk about who's going to win the league just yet. There are still plenty of games to play, plenty of points to pick up.

"If we go about our job in the way we have done since the start of the season then we'll keep picking up points and I'm sure the title will be coming back here."

PA