Source: Team_Talk
Report: Villa price up Stew
Aston Villa have reportedly slapped a price tag of £19million on winger Stewart Downing, who is a target for Premier League rivals Liverpool.[LNB] Villa have rejected a second bid - of around £15m - for the England international from Liverpool.[LNB]New Villa manager Alex McLeish would like to keep hold of Downing after losing the services of Ashley Young to Manchester United.[LNB]But if the player is to leave, Villa will hold out for what they consider to be a fair price for the former Middlesbrough player.[LNB]A source close to Villa said: "The club have made it known what they regard as a fair price for Stewart Downing, if he is to be sold."[LNB]Liverpool had an initial offer of around £12m turned down for Downing - the price Villa paid for him when he moved from Boro two years ago.[LNB]Downing has two years remaining of his contract but made it clear last month that he would not be signing a new deal at this juncture.[LNB]He said: "My agent had a meeting with the club - just one meeting - and he just felt it was the right time not to sign my contract.[LNB]"I've still got two years to go, so I've still got a long time to go, so I just decided to leave it as it is.[LNB]"Will I be at Villa next season? I'm not sure."[LNB]Downing is due to report for pre-season training on Friday with Villa.[LNB]He endured an injury-hit first campaign after signing for them when still recovering from a broken foot.[LNB]But last season Downing was in outstanding form and was Villa's player of the year.
