Pires urges Young to stay | Football News | Sky Sports

Aston Villa duo Robert Pires and Marc Albrighton have called on the club to keep hold of Ashley Young.

The Villa forward is out of contract in the summer of 2012 and is attracting attention from Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham.

However, in recent weeks he has managed to put the speculation surrounding his future to one side and has produced some scintillating performances.

Second striker

He is being deployed as a second striker at present and his two goals against Blackburn seem to be proof that this is a role that suits his talents.

But Pires wants Gerard Houllier to convince the England international to stay.

He said:"When you see Ashley play like that, it shows how important it is for Villa to keep him.

"He is very important here, the fans love him, but you know what football is like. I don't know what is happening with Ashley but for me he should stay."

Unplayable

Albrighton added:"Ashley was unplayable against Blackburn.

"I thought Stewart Downing was just as good but probably just got overshadowed by Ashley because he was so good.

"To have players like that playing at their full capacity is brilliant. To keep Ashley would be brilliant for Villa.

"It would show we are going forward as a team."

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