Report explains how Ashley Young has already stunned his new Aston Villa teammates

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Ashley Young has already stunned his new Aston Villa teammates with his superb fitness levels since joining Dean Smith’s side on a free transfer from Inter Milan, per the Mirror.

The former England international returned to Villa Park on a one-year contract after his deal with the Nerazzurri expired in June. He helped the San Siro outfit to win the Serie A title in his final year in Italy, racking up four assists and a goal in 26 appearances.

And despite turning 36 at the start of this month, Smith had no issue bringing Young back to Aston Villa. The left-back-come-midfielder departed Birmingham for Manchester United a decade ago for £17m, after four years in claret and blue.

Young has wasted no time in making a big impression in his second stint at Aston Villa, too. The 39-cap veteran has stunned his new Villans teammates with the high levels to his evergreen fitness.

He has now given Smith plenty of food for thought over his left-back options for the new Premier League campaign. Young made his second Aston Villa debut at full-back in a pre-season friendly with Walsall. The Mirror expect he will also start on Saturday against Stoke.

Matt Targett played all 38 of Villa’s top-flight fixtures at left-back last term and only missed 15 minutes altogether. He amassed the most minutes of the Villans’ outfield players at 3,405, only behind goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The Argentine played all 3,420 possible.

Targett, an £11m signing from Southampton in 2019, faces a challenge to repeat his record, however. The Mirror add that the 25-year-old is currently sidelined with a knock, three weeks before Villa’s curtain-raising trip to Watford.

Young’s fitness should not be a surprise at Aston Villa

Young’s fitness levels should not be a surprise to Aston Villa or his new teammates. The 36-year-old was only unavailable for two of Inter Milan’s Serie A fixtures last term after testing positive for coronavirus.

Antonio Conte may have left him on the bench 10 times, but Young was generally always there if needed. That extended into the cups, with the 2012/13 Premier League winner starting five of the Nerazzurri’s six Champions League ties.

The one game Young missed in Europe also being as a result of his positive Covid-19 result. Now, Smith will hope the experienced dynamo will be as available for Aston Villa as he seeks a top-half finish.