http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/12/aston-villa-ashley-young?Aston Villa move to keep Ashley Young out of rivals' clutches with pay riseAston Villa are determined to keep Ashley Young and will offer the England international an extended contract on improved terms to deter interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Everton. The news will come as a huge relief to Villa supporters following a turbulent week which has seen Martin O'Neill resign as manager and James Milner edge closer to completing his protracted transfer to Manchester City.
Villa have no intention of allowing Young to become the third key figure to depart this summer and plan to put a formal offer in front of the 25-year-old, who has less than two years remaining on his deal, before the end of the month. No figures have been discussed and the club have made it clear there are financial parameters to work within, but Villa have indicated they are prepared to offer their highest-paid player an increase on his £65,000 per week salary, probably over an extended four-year period.
Tottenham and Everton – whose interest in Young will come as a surprise to many given the club's financial constraints – had hoped to capitalise on the uncertainty at Villa in the wake of O'Neill's surprise resignation on Monday, but it now looks highly unlikely that the Midlands club will be persuaded to sell one of their most influential players. Randy Lerner, the Villa chairman, is desperate to keep Young at the club and his resolve has been strengthened by the chaotic events this week.
The search for a new manager continues and Young is watching developments with interest, although any concerns he had about the club significantly scaling back their ambitions have been allayed following the meeting today between his representative and Paul Faulkner, Villa's chief executive. Further discussions are expected to take place within the next couple of weeks but the signs are that Young is receptive to Villa's proposal and ready to commit his future to the club.
Curtis Davies could follow suit despite being told a couple of months ago that he was surplus to requirements. Davies, who is expected to start alongside Richard Dunne in central defence against West Ham United on Saturday, was marginalised under O'Neill and rarely featured last season but since the Northern Irishman's departure he has been assured that he is part of the club's long-term plans. Villa are expected to open contract talks with the central defender in the near future.
