The 35-year-old England veteran is back at St. James Park after 10 long years of spending a year in Italy with Inter Milan.

Ashley Young has snubbed Inter Milan’s contract extension offer to join Aston Villa for a year. His return to Aston Villa brings a ton of experience, a winning mentality and a thirst for victory with him.

The former Manchester United winger / defender made 369 appearances in the English Premier League, scoring 47 goals and providing 86 assists, including 190 appearances and 38 goals and 45 assists for Aston Villa.

The seasoned Englishman has won the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Europa League and has also recently won Serie A this season.

After signing Ashley Young, Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith said

“Ashley brings with him a wealth of experience of top-level football at club and international level – and he joins us after winning a league championship in Italy.

“He is a player who can play in many roles and, having spoken to him at length, I know he is determined to make a real impact with us this season.”

Ashley Young feels good to return home after spending a year in Italy and said

“It’s amazing to be back, it’s like I’ve never been gone.”

“I am delighted to be here, to see old faces again, to be back at Bodymoor Heath and to see how well the facilities have grown.

“You can see how far the club has evolved since my time and I’m ready to get to work now.”

“When I heard about Aston Villa’s interest, I directly said to my agent ‘make a deal, whatever you can, make a deal.

“Watching from afar, seeing the team, how well they did last season, how well they did.”

“The staff, the manager, how the players want to play for him; they have this hunger, he has this desire, this winning mentality.

“And, for me, I know I have this winning mentality.”

“I think someone said (about me) ‘he’s coming to the end of his career’, ‘he’s not that hungry anymore’, ‘he’s just going for a swan song’.

“It’s not me at all, I still have this winning mentality, this winning attitude, this desire and this hunger to go and win.”