England hopeful Young happy to stay a Villan

ASHLEY YOUNG has hinted he will be happy to sign a new contract at Aston Villa but insists all his focus is on England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro tomorrow night.

The 25-year-old has just under two years left of his current Villa deal and was linked with a move to Tottenham during the summer transfer window.

New Villa manager Gerard Houllier has expressed optimism that Young will put pen to paper sooner rather than later on a four-year contract.

Young is confident "everything will get sorted" but for now he is concentrating on trying to earn a first Wembley start for his country.

The former Watford winger said: "I have said all along, I am happy with everything that is going on at Villa. I am delighted. The manager has come in and spoken to me. I have two years left on my contract.

"The main focus for me is to concentrate on my football. Once the club sits down and talks to me, they will talk to me. Right now I am delighted with the way things have gone and are going at Villa.

"I'm just concentrating on the football side of things and I am sure everything will get sorted."

Young believes Houllier can bring the best out of him in the same way as his predecessor, Martin O'Neill.

He said: "I always said Martin O'Neill is a great manager. He brought me to the club. He was fantastic to me. Now I am working under Gerard Houllier, who looks like another one who is looking to get the best out of me."

Young could be given an opportunity by Fabio Capello as his former Villa team-mate, James Milner, is suspended for the Montenegro game. He has been primarily a bit-part player for England since making his debut three years ago but has confidence in his ability if given a bigger role.

Young said: "It is important for me to play for my country. When I have applied myself and got a cap, I have done it in the right manner. Fingers crossed I can get myself into the team. I am delighted to be in the squad. If the chance comes I intend to grab it with both hands.

"I am a very confident player. I have confidence in my own ability but I have to keep on improving and keep working hard in training. It is down to the manager. I just have to do as well as I can and see what comes of it when the team is picked tomorrow."

Rio Ferdinand can prepare to be England's defensive rock again after John Terry's injury added to Capello's woes.

And later today the Manchester United man will find out whether he will do so wearing the captain's armband.

Such is the nature of international football these days that, after arriving in camp on Thursday evening sweating on getting into Capello's starting line-up, Ferdinand is now the man holding everything together. After losing Phil Jagielka to a hamstring injury aggravated during the first training session, Capello last night waved goodbye to Terry, who has succumbed to a back injury and returned to Chelsea for further treatment.

It leaves Ferdinand to almost certainly partner Joleon Lescott against the team who were drawn into Group G from lowly pot five but now appear the most likely to deny England an automatic place at the finals.

The visitors beat Switzerland 1-0 at home on Friday and now lead the group with nine points from three games having played one game more than their hosts.