Downing ready to repay Aston Villa boss O'Neill who signed him as a crock

28 November 2009 00:46
On the verge: Left-winger Stewart Downing is close to breaking into the Aston Villa first team[LNB]Stewart Downing thought a damaged toe would rob him of a £12million move last summer, but the England winger had underestimated Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill.[LNB] Downing, then at Middlesbrough, was on crutches when news broke that Villa had lodged another bid for him, just six months after having their first offer turned down. [LNB]There was a problem, however. Downing had ligament damage to a toe. Three toes had to be pinned together as part of his rehabilitation. Despite this, O'Neill decided an injured Downing was worth the wait. [LNB]It was a huge gamble by the Northern Irishman, who reaped instant reward when the player signed. Now Downing is on the verge of breaking into Villa's first team after an appearance last Saturday as a substitute at Burnley. [LNB]'I was surprised when I heard Villa had come in,' said Downing. 'The manager found out how long I'd be out for. He told me that even if it was until December, he would wait. When you are limping about, that's great to hear. And once he told me that, this was the only place I wanted to come. [LNB]'Villa's physio said he couldn't believe the medical I went through. Normally injured players are just sent back. [LNB]'I definitely want to repay the manager. For him to pay out £12m for a player on crutches was brilliant. It's a lot of pressure on him to do that. I can't wait to get started and do well for him.' [LNB]Downing had signed a long-term contract at the Riverside. But even though Boro are his home-town club, he knew the time had come to move on.[LNB] Reassurance: Fabio Capello has spoken to Downing about his England place[LNB] 'Last season was hard with getting relegated,' he said. 'It was a sad way to end it. I was getting frustrated with things. I enjoyed my time there, but it was a good age to move - I'm 25 now. It's also a big year with the World Cup so it's a good move for me. [LNB]'Spurs were in for me and so were Villa. I was aware of the bid from Spurs and Boro weren't prepared to sell so I had to get my head down. The first part of last season I didn't play that well. I think I played better after January because I knew I was staying.' [LNB]Patient: Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill[LNB]Football, however, waits for no man and even though Downing has been picked by three successive England managers, competition for places in Fabio Capello's squad is hotting up. [LNB]'Mr Capello invited me to one of the matches,' he said. 'I was in the dressing-room and he said, "Take your time, don't rush back and I'll be there watching". I think he spoke to our manager (O'Neill) to see how I was. It was nice to know he was asking after me, it gives me an incentive. [LNB]'People have done well in my position but you don't know what the manager is thinking. If I come back and I'm doing well, then he doesn't think about names. If he sees a player playing well, hopefully he will pick me again. [LNB]'I think that's why Fabio Capello is a top manager. He knows how to deal with players. He might have thought that little bit of conversation would help me and it has. I know I'm in his thoughts, so it's easy to concentrate on playing well.'[LNB] Andy Townsend's boot room: Wigan can bounce back from Spurs maulingAston Villa v TOTTENHAM: Ledley King still on injury list for Villa tripASTON VILLA v Tottenham Hotspur: Stewart Downing in line for home bowASTON VILLA FC

Source: Daily_Mail