Constructive conversations off the pitch have helped John Carew and Ashley Young to flourish as a partnership on the pitch, giving Aston Villa the striking prowess that has been lacking for nearly a decade.
Carew scored the goal that enabled Villa to defeat West Ham United 1-0 on Saturday and, while his performance for an hour was splendid, he appears to have found, in Young, an ideal partner.
This striking partnership is only 180 minutes old and already there are the signs that it has the substance necessary if Villa are going to reclaim their lost horizon.
Carew and Young joined Villa on the same day and, despite their differences in age, experiences and appearances, have struck up a friendship that goes deeper than mere football.
"Because we are new to the club, we've been talking quite a lot," Young said. "We are staying in the same apartment block. We talk off the field and it looks like it is clicking on the pitch so hopefully that can carry on.
"Villa is a massive club and it is easy to settle in with the players here. They have got an understanding of how we play and vice versa. It's been terrific.
"I thought the partnership [with Carew] worked well. We linked up and scored a goal and I thought he did well and personally I did well but I am just happy to get the three points on my home debut.
"We were unlucky up at Newcastle [when Villa lost 3-1 last Wednesday]. The club has got ambition to be a top-six club and play in the Champions’ League and that's what I want to be part of and I feel we can go there.
"Some people around the club are calling us Little Brother and Big Brother. He is a nice guy and the partnership looks good on the pitch. And the fans have been brilliant, chanting my name, and giving me a standing ovation when I came off.
"That's all you can ask for and I've just got to keep repaying them by playing well.
"I set myself high standards and I want to keep to that. I scored at Newcastle, set one up today but it's vital for us to get the three points. It was good to make my home debut. We got off to a winning start and that is vital.
"We felt comfortable throughout the game. At the very end they had a few chances but we stood our ground, defended well and got the three points."
Like Young, Carew is relishing the striking partnership but says that an 11-man alliance is the key to victory.
"When it's your first game at home it's first important to win and get the three points and then it's nice of course for me to score," Carew said. "The fans were fantastic, I really enjoyed being part of the team and playing.
"The group is getting on really well and that's important because that makes the possibilities even bigger because the potential in the team is great. We are all good friends in the team.
"I played in a Champions’ League final. Hope Villa can get there some time. The potential here is great and we have some great new players and the team also has some good players from before. The ambition is to do something great and to play in the European Cup.
"I got cramp for the second time but then Newcastle last week was my first game in seven weeks so I'm not 100 per cent yet. The manager was happy and it's always good when the manager is satisfied."
While there are differences between Carew and Young, there are similarities, too. Both are shy, humble and quiet. In the case of Carew, that is a surprise. In the case of Young, it might be expected.
But Young is astute and single-minded. He turned down a move to West Ham United and could have earned more money by hanging on until the summer and moving to a London club. He chose Villa and already seems pleased with the decision.
"I came here for footballing reasons rather than financial reasons," Young said. "I just wanted to play football. Everyone said how well I handled all the speculation but I just let it go over my head. I just want to play football."
Martin O’Neill, the Villa manager, described Carew's performance as "majestic".
Carew, signed from Olympique Lyonais during the January transfer window, had what looked to be a perfectly good goal disallowed away to Newcastle last week.
But the Norway international striker was not to be denied on his home debut as he struck nine minutes before the interval to earn Villa only their second win in the last 14 league matches.
"John Carew was absolutely terrific for us," O'Neill said. "His first-half performance was more than could have been expected on his home debut.
"He had the disappointment of having his goal knocked off at Newcastle but he’s got one today and the crowd has really taken to him. His performance was majestic.
"For someone who is so tall, he has got a great touch and, make no mistake, he can definitely play.
"He hasn’t played much recently and came off because of cramp but when he is fit he will be really excellent. I think he is hoping to play some part for Norway in midweek and that will help if he can get through that.
"I was also pleased with Ashley Young who also poses a threat. The last two games have made it clear that we can look dangerous which is very encouraging."
