Source: Team_Talk
Villa want to wrap Stew deal - Report
Reports in the News of the World and the Sunday People both claim Villa and Boro are currently in talks over a transfer for Downing.
The tabloids suggest Villa boss Martin O'Neill is keen to tie up a deal for the 24-year-old as quickly as possible, even though he may not be fit for several months as he continues to recover from a broken foot.
That is because Liverpool and Tottenham are also interested in Downing's services and O'Neill wants to steal a march on his rivals.
The Reds and Spurs are both understood to have requested initial loan moves for Downing in order to gauge his rehabilitation - but Boro will not entertain such an offer and want cash up front to aid their squad rebuilding following relegation the the Championship.
Meanwhile, Villa's current star man - winger Ashley Young - is linked with Manchester United and Barcelona in the News of the World, while his England colleague Darren Bent, 25, could move from Tottenham to Villa Park for around £12million, according to the Sunday Mercury.
Other Sunday transfer rumours involving Villa suggest O'Neill could make a £2million swoop for Portsmouth's French centre-back Sylvain Distin, 31, while Werder Bremen's Germany Under-21 striker Mesut Ozil is also said to be a target for the Northern Irishman.