Aston Villa 3-1 Reading

Jan 13 2008

MARTIN O'NEILL last night hailed wing king Ashley Young's blistering first 12 months at the club after he ran riot against Reading.

The £8million recruit from Watford again showed his worth by having a hand in all three goals.

John Carew grabbed a double and Martin Laursen was on target before James Harper bagged a consolation, but it was Young who left O'Neill gushing.

The Villa gaffer said: "Hehas taken us by storm and been fantastic.

"He can go 60 yards at pace, beat players at the edge of the box and deliver from open play or free-kicks." Carew and Laursen both cashed in on Young's set-pieces and 20 of Villa's 40 goals have come from a corner or free-kick this term.

O'Neill said: "I think even I could score from Ashley's deliveries!"

Boss Steve Coppell admits Reading weren't tough enough because of African Nations Cup call-ups.

He said: "You need a physical presence here. But Carew was offside for the opener and it shouldn't have been a corner at their second."