Young: O'Neill must stay at Villa

Ashley Young has urged Martin O'Neill not to walk away from Aston Villa and help the club move on to the next level.

O'Neill has been forced to cope with mounting speculation over his future in the Midlands amid reports of a disagreement with owner Randy Lerner, but has pledged to stay on.

Villa bounced back from their 7-1 humbling at Chelsea with a hard-fought 1-0 success over Bolton to remain in contention for fourth place and a Champions League berth.

O'Neill's men also have a chance for revenge as they face the Blues in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, their second visit to Wembley this season after being edged out by Manchester United in the Carling Cup final.

And winger Young, who scored a stunning winner at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday, believes any critics need to look at what has already been achieved under the former Celtic manager.

Young said: "Of course Martin is integral to taking Villa on to the next stage.

"Since the gaffer has come in the club has gone up step by step and is progressing in the right direction and you can't ask for any more than that.

"If you'd said to us at the start of the season we would get to the Carling Cup final, the FA Cup semi-finals and go into April still with a chance of finishing fourth you would have taken that.

"I believe everyone knows we have had a good season but there is still a lot of work to be done.

"We have got the players and the will to fight and win. If you have got that instilled in you, you have always got a chance."