Aston Villa sign Stewart Downing for £12m
It’s fairly safe to say that Stewart Downing is on his way to the Villa, for a reported fee of £12m. For all those fans who slag off Downing - there is something of the victim about him that makes him an easy target - they should remember that Glen Johnson cost £18m…
Villa and Downing will turn out be a good match, I feel, although I’m not quite sure what this means for Ashley Young - perhaps Young will play even further forward next season, or Downing/Young could switch to the right. Either way, the addition of Downing is a definite plus for Martin O’Neill, whose transfer dealings so far this summer have been a cause of concern for Villa fans. On the down side, Downing is injured and will not be fit to play until around October. OK, £12m is slightly overpriced, but I refer you to Glen Johnson: young English players don’t come cheap.
A good signing for Villa? Comments please…
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He’s crocked until early 2010 anyway isn’t he? Reckon a fully fit Downing would have cost more than £12m. As you say MON is the man you want to deliver a player to greatness. Downings a talented lad who has outshone his teammates at a mediocre Boro side. Time to test himself in a good team at the top end of the table.
Not fussed, doesn’t have the searing pace that young and gabby have. I feel that MON will have him replacing Barry as a more central left footed midfielder.
I’d put a tenner on it.
Agree, Kipp – Downing has bossed games (true) from the middle, and even did so v Liverpool last season, I think.
Not happy with the price tag, also seen that we have distanced ourselves from Veleso these are the players we should be buying, not ex prem players, who quite frankly are rubbish.
Kipp has it. Young-Downing-Milner with Carew or Gabby up top. If they can click as a unit with Petrov plus AN Other holding behind, Villa will score a lot of goals next season.
At least Glen Johnson is more worth £18m than the crazy £12 of Downing.
12 pounds sounds like a fantastic deal to me.^^^^^^
Joking aside,
The fee is actually 10 million possibly rising to 12 but i digress.