England star Young is a target for Manchester United in the
summer — as SunSport revealed on Friday.
But Villa are desperate to hang on to their star man, who will
have only one year left on his contract when the season ends.
Young, 26, has put off talks over a new deal at Villa Park until
the summer, despite the club offering him a £500,000-a-year pay
rise before Christmas.
American-based Lerner leaves the day-to-day running of the club
to chief executive Paul Faulkner.
But he responded to desperate calls from fans to move to keep
Young.
In the unusual but admirable step, the chairman stepped in to
tell Young he and the club still mean business.
Young wants Champions League football and the chance to
challenge for trophies but it is understood Lerner attempted to
persuade the player that Villa want to match his ambitions.
His performances under boss Gerard Houllier, despite the club's
precarious league position, have seen Young become a key member of
the England squad.
The club are still fully behind Houllier and believe he can move
the club back in the right direction beyond the summer - as long as
relegation is avoided.
Houllier thinks his £24million January signing Darren Bent is
vital to beating the drop after two more goals in the draw at
Everton.
He said: "He will score goals for us - we know that. Sometimes
he looks quiet but he is like a fox in the box.