Ashley Westwood (footballer, born 1990)
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{About|the footballer, born 1990|the footballer, born 1976|Ashley Westwood (footballer, born 1976)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Ashley Westwood
| image = Ashley Westwood Crewe Alexandra.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Westwood with Crewe Alexandra in 2012
| fullname = Ashley Roy Westwood{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 |title=Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2018 |access-date=10 February 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|4|1|df=y}}{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |year=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |page=433}}
| birth_place = Nantwich, England
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Charlotte FC
| clubnumber = 8
| youthyears1 = {{0|000}}–2008
| youthclubs1 = Crewe Alexandra
| years1 = 2008–2012
| clubs1 = Crewe Alexandra
| caps1 = 128
| goals1 = 14
| years2 = 2008
| clubs2 = → Nantwich Town (loan)
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| years3 = 2012–2017
| clubs3 = Aston Villa
| caps3 = 147
| goals3 = 5
| years4 = 2017–2023
| clubs4 = Burnley
| caps4 = 162
| goals4 = 7
| years5 = 2023–
| clubs5 = Charlotte FC
| caps5 = 73
| goals5 = 6
| club-update = 14:51, 13 April 2025 (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=
Born in Nantwich, Cheshire, 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/7360623.stm |title=Crewe offer deals to youngsters |date=22 April 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 April 2008}} He joined hometown club Nantwich Town, playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, on loan in 2008.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Non-league-football-Shotton-going-says-Davis/story-12497822-detail/story.html |title=Non-league football: Shotton is going nowhere, says Davis |newspaper=The Sentinel |date=13 December 2008 |access-date=21 December 2012}}
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.{{cite web|title=Crewe Alexandra 0–1 Notts County |url=http://www.crewealex.net/page/MatchReport/0,,10414~48786,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413073455/http://www.crewealex.net/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10414~48786%2C00.html |archive-date=13 April 2010 |publisher=Crewe Alexandra F.C |access-date=8 September 2012 |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite news|title=Westwood named Crewe Alexandra player of the season|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/8642632.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 August 2012}}
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.{{cite news|title=New Crewe Alexandra deal for Ashley Westwood|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/9199268.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 August 2012}}
With the release of David Artell in the summer of 2012, Westwood was handed the club captaincy of Crewe by manager Steve Davis.{{cite news|title=Ashley Westwood handed Crewe Alexandra captaincy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19192742|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=14 August 2012}} 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".{{cite news|title=Crewe boss Steve Davis reveals Ashley Westwood enquiries|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19414845|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=8 September 2012}}
=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.{{cite news |url=http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/crewe-alex-fc/crewe-alex-fc-news/2012/08/29/crewe-alex-railwaymen-braced-for-swansea-bid-for-westwood-96135-31714771/ |title=Crewe Alex: Railwaymen braced for Swansea bid for Westwood |first=Peter |last=Morse |date=29 August 2012 |newspaper=Crewe Chronicle |access-date=31 August 2012}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906741,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903124209/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2906741,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 September 2012 |title=Westwood signs for Villa on four-year deal |date=31 August 2012 |publisher=Aston Villa F.C |access-date=31 August 2012 }}File:Ashley Westwood 2013.jpg in 2013]]
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.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19528067 "Aston Villa 2–0 Swansea"] BBC Sport. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012. 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20107448 |title=Sunderland 0–1 Aston Villa |date=3 November 2012 |publisher=Aston Villa F.C |access-date=21 November 2012}} On 15 July 2013, Westwood signed a new four-year contract keeping him at the club until summer 2017.{{cite news|title=Aston Villa reward midfielder Ashley Westwood with new four-year contract|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8825462/Aston-Villa-reward-midfielder-Ashley-Westwood-with-new-four-year-contract|access-date=15 July 2013|publisher=Sky Sports News|date=15 July 2013}} He scored his first goal for the club against local rivals West Bromwich Albion in a 2–2 draw at The Hawthorns.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24982515 "West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Aston Villa"] BBC Sport. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2014. On 29 March 2014, he scored in a 4–1 defeat away to Manchester United at Old Trafford.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26694513 "Manchester United 4–1 Aston Villa"] BBC Sport. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014. On 3 May 2014, Westwood scored after 54 seconds against Hull City in a 3–1 home victory that helped ensure Villa avoided relegation.3 May 2014, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPV1CsGb61I&t=15s Aston Villa 3–1 Hull City]{{Cite web|url=http://7500toholte.sbnation.com/2014/5/3/5677886/aston-villa-ashely-westwood-highlight-goal-gif-video|title = Ashley Westwood seemed impatient to help Aston Villa out.| date=3 May 2014 }}
On 12 August 2015 Westwood signed a new five-year contract.{{cite web |title=Westwood signs new contract |url=http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4928025,00.html |publisher=Aston Villa F.C. |access-date=12 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815000701/http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~4928025,00.html |archive-date=15 August 2015}}
=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.{{cite news |title=Ashley Westwood: Burnley sign Aston Villa midfielder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38815781 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2017 |access-date=31 January 2017}} 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.{{cite news |title=Liverpool 4–2 Burnley |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47431203 |access-date=24 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 March 2019}} He was voted Burnley's player of the season for 2018–19 by both supporters and players.{{Cite web|url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2019/may/double-top-for-westwood/|title=Double Top For Westwood|date=5 May 2019|website=Burnley F.C.|access-date=24 July 2020|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727054943/https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/news/2019/may/double-top-for-westwood/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{Cite web |url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54305846 |title = Newcastle United 3–1 Burnley |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 3 October 2020 |access-date = 3 October 2020}}
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.{{cite news |last1=Fordham |first1=Josh |title=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 |url=https://talksport.com/football/1087864/ashley-westwood-injury-update-burnley-nikola-vlasic-tears-west-ham/ |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=Talk Sport |date=18 April 2022}}
=Charlotte=
On 7 January 2023, Westwood signed for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC on a contract until 2024.{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Charlotte Football |title=Charlotte FC Sign Midfielder Ashley Westwood {{!}} Charlotte FC |url=https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/news/charlotte-fc-sign-midfielder-ashley-westwood |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=Charlotte Football Club |language=en}}
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".{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/8039002/Westwood-makes-Villa-move |title=Westwood makes Villa move |date=31 August 2012 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=8 September 2012}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 25 October 2023}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Crewe Alexandra
- Football League Two play-offs: 2012{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/cheltenham-town-v-crewe-alexandra-27-may-2012-298223/ |title=Cheltenham Town v Crewe Alexandra, 27 May 2012 - 11v11 match report |website=11v11 |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=22 August 2024}}
Individual
- Burnley Player of the Year: 2018–19{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/17626381.ashley-westwood-celebrates-best-season-yet/ |title=Ashley Westwood celebrates best season yet |first=Charlotte |last=Coates |website=Lancashire Telegraph |date=8 May 2019 |access-date=22 August 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/midfielder/ashley-westwood/ Ashley Westwood profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122333/https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/midfielder/ashley-westwood/ |date=15 December 2018 }} at the Burnley F.C. website
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Charlotte FC squad}}
{{Burnley F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Westwood, Ashley}}
Category:Footballers from Nantwich
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
Category:Nantwich Town F.C. players
Category:Aston Villa F.C. players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States