Ashley Westwood (footballer, born 1990)
![]() Westwood with Crewe Alexandra in 2012 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Ashley Roy Westwood[1] | ||
Date of birth | (1990-04-01) 1 April 1990 (age 34)[2] | ||
Place of birth | Nantwich, England | ||
Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Charlotte FC | ||
Number | 8 | ||
Youth career | |||
000–2008 | Crewe Alexandra | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008–2012 | Crewe Alexandra | 128 | (14) |
2008 | → Nantwich Town (loan) | ||
2012–2017 | Aston Villa | 147 | (5) |
2017–2023 | Burnley | 162 | (7) |
2023– | Charlotte FC | 49 | (5) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:25, 22 June 2024 (UTC) |
Ashley Roy Westwood (born 1 April 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for MLS club Charlotte FC.
Westwood's first club was Crewe Alexandra, where he spent his first season on loan at his hometown club Nantwich Town from the Northern Premier League Premier Division. After five seasons and 128 league appearances in League One and League Two for Crewe, Westwood joined Premier League club Aston Villa in Birmingham where he scored his first Premier League goal in his second season with them. Six months after Villa dropped out of the Premier League, Westwood joined Burnley, returning to the Premier League in the process. He was Burnley's Player of the Season for 2018–19. He joined Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC in January 2023.
Career
Crewe Alexandra
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Westwood%2C_Ashley_Roy.jpg/170px-Westwood%2C_Ashley_Roy.jpg)
Born in Nantwich, Cheshire,[2] Westwood started his career in the academy at Crewe Alexandra. He signed his first professional contract in April 2008, along with Luke Danville, Chris Clements, Josh Thompson, A-Jay Leitch-Smith and Luke Murphy.[3] He joined hometown club Nantwich Town, playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, on loan in 2008.[4]
The following season saw Westwood break into first team appearing 38 times for the club along with six goals – the first coming in a 3–2 away win at Chesterfield. The season, however, did see Westwood receive his first career red card in the 0–1 home defeat to Notts County for squaring up to Luke Rodgers after the pair tussled for the ball, the County striker was sent off for the incident as well.[5] The young midfielder impressed the Crewe management over the season and was rewarded with a new two-year contract in December and his performances over the season were rewarded with him named the club's player of the season.[6]
A further 46 appearances followed in the 2010–11 season along with six goals, including two in the 3–3 home draw to Torquay United. Following a string of impressive performances, Westwood signed a new deal intended to keep him at the club until 2014 midway through the campaign.[7]
With the release of David Artell in the summer of 2012, Westwood was handed the club captaincy of Crewe by manager Steve Davis.[8] The young midfielder made three league appearances before he was linked with a move to the Premier League with Swansea City. "It's the first time he'll have had this sort of speculation in his career", Crewe manager Steve Davis commented before adding: "he's got to be professional in how he deals with it".[9]
Aston Villa
Despite the speculation of a transfer to Swansea City, talks between the two clubs broke down as the South Wales club was unable to match the asking price set by the Railwaymen.[10] With talks of the deal reaching a stumbling block, Aston Villa were quick to capitalise and signed the midfielder on the final day of the summer 2012 transfer window. Westwood signed on a four-year deal with the Birmingham based club for a fee believed to be around £2 million.[11]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Ashley_Westwood_2013.jpg/170px-Ashley_Westwood_2013.jpg)
He made his debut on 15 September 2012, coming on as a second-half substitute for Stephen Ireland during a 2–0 win at home to Swansea City.[12] On 3 November, Westwood made his first league start for Villa in a 1–0 win away at Sunderland. The young midfielder was highly praised for his role in the win, alongside Barry Bannan.[13] On 15 July 2013, Westwood signed a new four-year contract keeping him at the club until summer 2017.[14] He scored his first goal for the club against local rivals West Bromwich Albion in a 2–2 draw at The Hawthorns.[15] On 29 March 2014, he scored in a 4–1 defeat away to Manchester United at Old Trafford.[16] On 3 May 2014, Westwood scored after 54 seconds against Hull City in a 3–1 home victory that helped ensure Villa avoided relegation.[17][18]
On 12 August 2015 Westwood signed a new five-year contract.[19]
Burnley
On 31 January 2017, Westwood signed for Premier League club Burnley on a three-and-a-half-year contract, with the option of a further year.[20] He scored his first goal for Burnley on 10 March 2019, opening the scoring direct from a corner in a 4–2 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.[21] He was voted Burnley's player of the season for 2018–19 by both supporters and players.[22] On 3 October 2020, Westwood scored on his 100th Premier League appearance for Burnley in a 3–1 defeat against Newcastle United at St James' Park.[23]
During Burnley's game against West Ham United at the London Stadium on 17 April 2022, Westwood suffered a serious ankle injury in a collision with Nikola Vlašić, ruling him out for the rest of the season.[24]
Charlotte
On 7 January 2023, Westwood signed for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC on a contract until 2024.[25]
Playing style
Westwood operates primarily as a deep-lying playmaker although he is capable of playing in a role higher up the midfield as well as right back. After his transfer to Aston Villa, Westwood compared himself to Michael Carrick adding that he is "someone who stays out of the limelight and keeps it simple, retaining the ball and laying it off to team-mates".[26]
Career statistics
- As of match played 25 October 2023
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Crewe Alexandra | 2008–09[27] | League One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
2009–10[28] | League Two | 36 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 6 | |
2010–11[29] | League Two | 46 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 51 | 6 | |
2011–12[30] | League Two | 41 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5[b] | 0 | 47 | 3 | |
2012–13[31] | League One | 3 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | |||
Total | 128 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 143 | 15 | ||
Aston Villa | 2012–13[31] | Premier League | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 0 | ||
2013–14[32] | Premier League | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 37 | 3 | ||
2014–15[33] | Premier League | 27 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 34 | 0 | ||
2015–16[34] | Premier League | 32 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 37 | 2 | ||
2016–17[35] | Championship | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 23 | 0 | ||
Total | 147 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 162 | 5 | |||
Burnley | 2016–17[35] | Premier League | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | ||
2017–18[36] | Premier League | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 22 | 0 | ||
2018–19[37] | Premier League | 34 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5[c] | 0 | 41 | 2 | |
2019–20[38] | Premier League | 35 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 37 | 2 | ||
2020–21[39] | Premier League | 38 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 42 | 3 | ||
2021–22[40] | Premier League | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 29 | 0 | ||
2022–23[41] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 162 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 181 | 7 | ||
Charlotte FC | 2023[42] | Major League Soccer | 29 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 0 | 37 | 3 | |
Career total | 466 | 29 | 23 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 523 | 30 |
- ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy
- ^ Two appearances in Football League Trophy, three in League Two play-offs
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Five appearances in Leagues Cup, one in MLS Cup Playoffs
References
- ^ "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 433. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
- ^ "Crewe offer deals to youngsters". BBC Sport. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
- ^ "Non-league football: Shotton is going nowhere, says Davis". The Sentinel. 13 December 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
- ^ "Crewe Alexandra 0–1 Notts County". Crewe Alexandra F.C. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ "Westwood named Crewe Alexandra player of the season". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ "New Crewe Alexandra deal for Ashley Westwood". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ "Ashley Westwood handed Crewe Alexandra captaincy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- ^ "Crewe boss Steve Davis reveals Ashley Westwood enquiries". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ Morse, Peter (29 August 2012). "Crewe Alex: Railwaymen braced for Swansea bid for Westwood". Crewe Chronicle. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ^ "Westwood signs for Villa on four-year deal". Aston Villa F.C. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ^ "Aston Villa 2–0 Swansea" BBC Sport. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
- ^ "Sunderland 0–1 Aston Villa". Aston Villa F.C. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
- ^ "Aston Villa reward midfielder Ashley Westwood with new four-year contract". Sky Sports News. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
- ^ "West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Aston Villa" BBC Sport. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "Manchester United 4–1 Aston Villa" BBC Sport. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ 3 May 2014, Aston Villa 3–1 Hull City
- ^ "Ashley Westwood seemed impatient to help Aston Villa out". 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Westwood signs new contract". Aston Villa F.C. Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- ^ "Ashley Westwood: Burnley sign Aston Villa midfielder". BBC Sport. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Liverpool 4–2 Burnley". BBC Sport. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- ^ "Double Top For Westwood". Burnley F.C. 5 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- ^ "Newcastle United 3–1 Burnley". BBC Sport. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
- ^ Fordham, Josh (18 April 2022). "DISTRAUGHT Ashley Westwood injury update with Nikola Vlasic in tears and consoled by West Ham teammates as Burnley star is stretchered off and taken to hospital". Talk Sport. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ Club, Charlotte Football. "Charlotte FC Sign Midfielder Ashley Westwood | Charlotte FC". Charlotte Football Club. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ "Westwood makes Villa move". Sky Sports. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "A. Westwood". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 September 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ^ "Games played by Ashley Westwood in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Ashley Westwood profile Archived 15 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine at the Burnley F.C. website
- Ashley Westwood at Soccerbase
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