Sounds like standard negotiation tactics to me.
And me too.
Sounds like exactly what every other decent player has said shortly before leaving the club.
Not to me, the others have not explicitly said they were happy at the club. That weasel Downing gave us some guff about "needing to look at his options" or some shit, which is nothing like the quotes about Weimann here. The tone of the piece is also completely different to what has been said about Benteke. Sounds much more like getting a better deal at Villa as opposed to moving on.
Incorrect, look at these quotes from Downing:
"Downing told the Birmingham Mail: "I think there have been a couple of conversations already with my agent.
"I've already spoken to the manager who has said he'd like to keep me.
"I've still got two years left and they've come to me with an offer.
"For a player, that is brilliant because it gives you confidence they have faith in you and that they reward players if they do well.
"I'm enjoying my stay here. I've enjoyed it since the first day I came. It's a terrific football club. it's fantastic they want me."
Regarding speculation over his future, Downing said: "It's part and parcel of being a player and doing well.
"Ever since I was young I've read stories saying 'you're going here, you're going there.
"Obviously if you have a good season you get linked, but I'm happy here."
Downing, voted Villa's player of the year, is optimistic about the future of the club despite a disappointing campaign after three top-six finishes in the Barclays Premier League.
He said: "There are terrific players here. I'm confident, despite this season, that we're going in the right direction and, if we get the right players in, then I'm happy.
"The important thing in football is if you're happy, then why change it.
"I know it's been a disappointing season but I can see the bigger picture."
And Ashley Young said this, a month before changing his mind:
"Ashley Young has given a boost to his new manager Gérard Houllier by expressing his willingness to sign a new deal with Aston Villa.
Young was the subject of speculation about his future during the summer and linked with a move to Tottenham. But the England winger has started the new campaign in sparkling form and given the strongest indication yet he will be happy to commit to the Midlands club.
When asked how contract talks were progressing, Young said: "I've always said that I'm willing to sign a new deal. If it comes along, then I'll be delighted to sign."
A month later he was delaying it until the end of the season, and then obviously he was off to Man U.
