Villa working on Downing capture

15 July 2009 16:05
Aston Villa were on Wednesday night working to tie up a move for England winger Stewart Downing after agreeing a £12million fee with Middlesbrough. The 24-year-old midfielder arrived at Villa's training headquarters on crutches on Wednesday afternoon as he took a break from his rehabilitation from foot surgery to hold talks with manager Martin O'Neill. He headed for the midlands after the two clubs reached agreement over his value amid continuing speculation that Ashley Young could be heading through the exit door. Downing's injury, suffered in a clash with Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov in the penultimate game of last season, means he is unlikely to play again until October at the earliest, and he may be out of action for some time longer. However, O'Neill has made his move in the hope of avoiding a bidding war in January when other clubs might have been prepared to do business more readily once he had proved his fitness. There was no comment from either club on Wednesday, but Villa have emerged as serious contenders to land Downing - they have also been linked with an £8million bid for team-mate Tuncay Sanli - in the last few weeks.

Source: Eurosport