Ash: Pick us to keep winning

Posted Thursday, February 10, 2011 by The Sun

Ash: Pick us to keep winning
ASH ON FIRE ... England congratulate match-winner Ashley Young

ASHLEY YOUNG led England's new breed of Young Lions and told Fabio Capello: Keep picking us and we'll keep winning.

The Aston Villa winger coolly slotted a second-half clincher to register his first international goal for Capello's side.

That strike came after club-mate Darren Bent had cancelled out Daniel Agger's early opener for Denmark.

And sub Young believes the result stands England in good stead ahead of the resumption of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign next month.

The 25-year-old said: "I am delighted to have got the winner. It's even more special with it being my first goal in an England shirt.

"Fingers crossed, as long as I can keep getting in the squad and getting chances, I can establish myself in the team.

"We all really want to wear the shirt and give our all and we showed real strength of character to get back into the game."

Arsenal wonderkid Jack Wilshere made an assured first start for his country in a defensive midfield role, before being withdrawn at the break.

And the teenager was delighted to get the chance to shine on the big stage.

Wilshere, 19, said: "It's great to play for your country and I am delighted with my first start. I'm also glad it was a win.

"It was a difficult game but we kept the ball well and it's great to play with players like that, they make it easy.

"Not going forward was tough but it's quite similar to the role I play at Arsenal - and I will play anywhere for my country.

"I spoke to the boss before the game and he told me how he wanted me to play. Personally, I am very happy with my performance."

Meanwhile, England hitman Bent was keen to divert the attention away from his own assured display - and heap praise on fellow scorer Young.

Bent said: "The guys that came on, particularly Ashley, were fantastic.

"It was a good night for Villa really. Ashley has been showing that sort of form since I have been at the club, week-in and week-out.

"But all the boys did well as Denmark are a good side who play good football."

As for his own role within the team, former Sunderland hitman Bent added: "If you want to keep on playing for England, then you have to keep on doing it.

"There are a lot of good English strikers out there. Only a few games ago, Jermain Defoe scored a hat-trick. I just have to keep my club form up.

"As for Wilshere, his performance was very good. He is a top, top player."

Three Lions chief Capello also applauded Wilshere but reserved a special mention for Bent, hinting

that he may start against Wales in the Euro 2012 qualifier on March 26.

The Italian said: "Darren scored a goal and he had chances to score a second - twice. He played well, worked a lot and helped the team.

"Both teams played well and no one got injured, which is key for the clubs."

Capello was also keen to clear up the captaincy issue after the armband passed from Frank Lampard to Ashley Cole to Gareth Barry - but not to ex-skipper John Terry.

He added: "I decided Barry would be captain."