Young had intimated earlier this month that he was ready to commit his future to Villa, while Houllier was confident a contract would be signed "sooner rather than later". But the player announced on Friday that he wanted to concentrate on his football and any talks over a potential new deal would not happen until the end of the campaign. The England international will then have only 12 months remaining of the four-year deal he signed in 2008.
Houllier said: "I am quite happy with what Ashley has said. He loves the fans here, he enjoys his football and, since I've come here, he very much enjoys the way he is progressing. I am quite happy with what he has said, that he wants to concentrate on his football and talk about it (his contract) at the end of the season."
He added: "I am happy. He looks happy. He is fine. He enjoys his football and you know when you are not happy, you don't improve.
"All I can see is he is a major part of our team but also a major part of our atmosphere and is lively and jovial. We like that, the way he behaves."
But Houllier admitted: "A lot of things can happen, I can understand that.
"I've been here just over a month. Maybe he needs to know more.
"He needs to know about the ambition of the club but he knows he is a key part of our future and that's it."
Source: PA
Source: PA