Just hours after Aston Villa had hosted its very own glittering "Oscars" night and handed out awards to its best players of the 2007-8 campaign, the club was again celebrating after Villa winger Ashley Young was named the Barclays Premier League Player of the Month for April.

The 22-year-old England International scooped the award after helping Villa to 10 points from a possible 12 during last month and for scoring three goals as Martin O'Neill's men clocked-up an impressive 17 in four games.

Young scored in the 6-0 win at Derby County and bagged a brace a week later as Villa thrashed struggling Birmingham City 5-1 in the Second City derby.

He becomes Villa's second recipient of the Player of the Month award this season - close pal Gabby Agbonlahor was the winner in November.

Agbonlahor himself was among those players rewarded on Thursday night when the club marked its End of Season dinner with awards for those players who had made most contribution to Villa's hugely succesful season which has seen the club on the brink of European football and with a talented young side boasting no fewer than five English players who have caught the eye of England boss Fabio Capello this season.

Birmingham-born Agbonlahor, 21, won the Young Player of the Year award and the Supporters' Young Player of the Year trophy for his contribution of 11 goals towards the team's impressive tally this season which is second only to Manchester United in terms of the number of goals scored.

The overall award on the night - the Supporters' Player of the Year trophy went to defender Martin Laursen who turned in no fewer than eight man of the match winning performances over the cause of the season.

The Players' Player of the Year trophy went to skipper Gareth Barry who has topped an incredible personal season for his club with a string of performances for England.

The Goal of the Season award went to Bulgarian International Stiliyan Petrov for his 45-yard effort against Derby County in April with the goal just beating Marlon Harewood's acrobatic over-head kick against Liverpool at Anfield and Gabby Agbonlahor's November effort against Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

The awards, sponsored by Birmingham's flagship Harvey Nichols store, also saw a special presentation - the Former Players' Association Player of the Year trophy - going to former Villa midfielder Gordan Cowans.

"Sid" as he is known by the fans is still a regular in the club's Old Stars side and also coaches Villa's academy youngsters.

He was nominated for his role with Aston Villa Old Stars who still play a full season of charity matches every year and next year hope to bring their fund-raising total over the 50 years since their inception to £4 million.

After the awards and an autograph session, an auction was held to boost funds for the Aston Villa Charitable Trust which helps many good causes in the area.

The highlight was the auctioning of a signed Muhammed Ali boxing club which was bought for £3,500 by Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker who just pipped John Carew to the prize.

* Aston Villa's final match of the season and its last chance of Uefa Cup qualification is to be beamed back to Villa Park for those supporters without a ticket.

The West Ham match will be shown on a giant screen at the Holte Suite at Villa park at 3pm on Sunday with the venue open from noon to 6pm. Hot snacks will be available until 3pm and admission is £7 per person but due to limited availability fans are asked to pre-book on 0800 612 0970.

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