Villa's Luke Young retires from international duty

Aston Villa defender Luke Young admitted on Wednesday that he has retired from international duty after snubbing a call-up for England's friendly against Brazil.

England coach Fabio Capello asked Young to replace injured Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson in his squad for the trip to Doha ahead of Saturday's clash.

Young had informed the English FA in February that he wanted to concentrate on club football after earning just seven caps in four years, but didn't make the decision public.

It is thought an enquiry was made over whether Young was still unavailable after Johnson pulled out and the former Tottenham full-back confirmed his international retirement.

The 30-year-old has played just twice for Villa this season as he struggles to come to terms with the death of his half-brother, Andre, who was found dead at a Greek holiday resort in August after suffering serious head injuries following a night out with friends.

Young told AVTV: "I came back in pre-season looking forward to the new campaign. I felt I could improve on my performances of the previous season. I had the bit between my teeth - a real determination to succeed.

"I then picked up niggling thigh injuries that I couldn't get rid of and then obviously the family bereavement which was difficult to get over.

"But I am ready to concentrate on football now and I'm looking forward to playing. In the first few weeks after what happened I didn't really want to do anything. It was really tough early on."