Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard hailed the performance of Ashley Young for their 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Gerrard says Young's performance “epitomised everything" his side needed as Aston Villa battled back to draw 1-1 with champions Man City. Young replaced Matty Cash in the 25th minute and was many people's star man with Leon Bailey cancelling out Erling Haaland's opener.

On Young, Gerrard said: “I've just finished my chat downstairs with the players. I tried to be brief because they've probably heard enough of me, especially over the last couple of days and weeks!

“Losing Matty Cash was a blow because he's important in how we play because we need his energy and his legs. I'm disappointed with that injury but I thought Ashley Young epitomised everything we needed today and he has since I come through the door. I think when you take over a challenge like this so early in your managerial career it's vital you have the right senior players.

“I'm working with the senior players in situations and Ash is someone who I haven't had to work with because he's been there, he's done it and he's got that winning mentality. He's got the standards. I thought his performance epitomised everything about us today and the supporters… a lot of that should be for Ashley Young because he drove a lot of our players when he came onto the pitch. He was magnificent."