during the 2010–11 season, young became vice-captain of the club and played in a new free role behind the striker, allowing him to move from wing to wing and through the centre. young scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season with a direct free-kick in the premier league match at home to bolton wanderers on 18 september 2010. he ended the season with nine goals and fourteen assists in 39 appearances for villa in all competitions. with one year left to run on his current contract, young stated that he would not make a decision on his future until the end of the season. on 20 june 2011, new villa manager alex mcleish admitted that he was resigned to losing young, stating, "it's not confirmed yet but it does seem likely."