Young: Villa have to finish strong this year

Villa were in pole position to break into the Premier League top four 12 months ago as they held a five-point advantage over Arsenal.

But they managed only one more victory and ended up being overhauled by the Gunners and Everton.

Young, on target in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final win at Reading, is determined to look forward as Villa aim to erase the memory of their League Cup final defeat against Manchester United.

But the England winger is also aware of the importance of ensuring they do not make the same mistakes as last season.

He said: "Last season is last season. That has been put to bed now. We are looking forward and concentrating on things this season.

"We had a great cup run and got to the Carling Cup final. It was disappointing to lose but now we are in another semi-final going back to Wembley and we are doing well in the league.

"But you can learn from last season. You can always learn from things that don't go so well."

Young added: "It is a massive couple of months and fingers crossed it does go the right way, the way we want it to go.

"We are still in the mix in the league with a chance of finishing higher than last season and any domestic final is a fantastic one.

"We've achieved one and experienced the disappointment of losing and now you want to get back there and get the winners' medal you deserve."