SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Another thing about Downing, would, after a lengthy and public flirtation with Liverpool, Downing be booed at the first opportunity?  I think he would and I don't think he'd have the character to overcome it

We haven't seen much character from him at VP! He was shit when he started for us, and only better last season when everyone else was a bit crap. Still don't know how he got player of the season! At his age he should be a very strong influential player in most matches he plays. He isn't! Let him go for the right price and look for somebody with genuine flair/guts or both. Downing is a wuss!
Don't like to be negative to any player but I'd happily boo the twat first time back at VP!

[avfc_1874]

Sell him for £20 million and bring in Adam Johnson.

[citizenDJ]

I don't think he has been too blatant in as much as talking to the press etc, but his somewhat abrupt 'about turn' in attitude does suggest that he has been, say, rather easily persuaded that his future could lay elsewhere.

For what it's worth, I wouldn't be surprised if we don't sell him after all, and even if we do I think we'll get a good replacement in N'Zogbia or someone of that ilk.

As an aside, can anyone remember if it was a 'serious statement of intent' when we signed him? Or does that only apply when it's Kenny Dalgliesh doing it?

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

As an aside, can anyone remember if it was a 'serious statement of intent' when we signed him? Or does that only apply when it's Kenny Dalgliesh doing it?

I honestly think MON saw potential. I think I did.  I think Dalgleish sees the same and hopes he can get him playing to that level all of the time. But he just hasn't done it for me.The odd spark of brilliance is not enough to earn a place in the team every game...he's not a team player and he doesn't have any bottle. Give us the dosh and get rid!
Then perhaps AM can make a statement of intent!
I hope so!

[Billy Walker]

As an aside, can anyone remember if it was a 'serious statement of intent' when we signed him? Or does that only apply when it's Kenny Dalgliesh doing it?

Here's how The Guardian reported it when Villa signed him:

Aston Villa have completed the signing of the Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing for a fee in the region of £12m. The England international has joined Martin O'Neill's side on a four-year deal after passing a medical.

Downing is O'Neill's first summer recruit but will be unable to play a part in the Villa first team until October at the earliest and may not be fully fit until December after breaking a foot in the penultimate league game of last season. He will have an operation to remove a steel pin from the fractured bone in September before stepping up his fitness programme.

The 24-year-old felt he had to leave Boro following the club's relegation to keep alive his hopes of playing at next summer's World Cup with England. "Leaving Boro feels strange because I have always been at the club," he said. "I supported them when I was young and I will always be a Boro fan.

"But I hope the fans will understand that I'm ambitious and want to win things. This move gives me a chance of that. Also, I definitely want to play at next year's World Cup, so that's my aim - to get back to full fitness, get back playing and get myself in the England team for the World Cup.

"I don't just want to go there to sit it out this time either. I want to be in the team. I loved the last World Cup, it was brilliant, but I want to play a bigger part this time. I have to be with a good Premier League side if I want to do that."

Downing had no hesitation in accepting Villa's offer. "When it became apparent that Villa were interested I was very excited," he said. "I wanted to come as soon as I met Martin O'Neill so I am delighted it's now sorted out. As soon as I spoke to the manager at the training ground, I wanted to play for Villa and I wanted to play for him. He has great ambition and wants to build a good squad to take the club forward. I want to be part of that.

"As an outsider looking in, it was obvious that Villa were a club on the up. You can see a chairman and manager who want to build great things. They have done that over the past few seasons, particularly by finishing sixth last time around, which was great. But once you get here and see the stadium, the training ground, the people behind the scenes and the manager with his ambition and hopes for the future, it's even better than you realised.

Hmmm.  It makes you realise how exciting things seemed back then - clearly perceptions have changed.  One thing's for certain, though, Liverpool at the moment are reminding me a lot of  Villa in the early O'Neill days.

[Clark W Griswold]

As long as the money gets re invested, i will be delighted to see the back of him for £19m. Good player, not great and obviously a vile little prick. I also remember the comment about going back to Boro when they get back in the top flight about 5 mins after joining us. Never liked him, although i was largely pleased with his performances last season.

[taylorsworkrate]

As long as the money gets re invested, i will be delighted to see the back of him for £19m. Good player, not great and obviously a vile little prick. I also remember the comment about going back to Boro when they get back in the top flight about 5 mins after joining us. Never liked him, although i was largely pleased with his performances last season.

Modern day footballer then?

[Clark W Griswold]

Bad even by the normal standards. Nursed back from injury and wants to jump ship after one good season. At least the others who have done it to us have put a shift in first.

[Clampy]

Bad even by the normal standards. Nursed back from injury and wants to jump ship after one good season. At least the others who have done it to us have put a shift in first.

That's probably what annoys me the most about the whole thing.

[themossman]

That article also makes you realise why he might feel diferently about playing for Villa than he did when he signed. I'd probably feel the same if I didn't have any deep allegiance to the club to be honest.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

That article also makes you realise why he might feel diferently about playing for Villa than he did when he signed. I'd probably feel the same if I didn't have any deep allegiance to the club to be honest.

You'd give it another year though wouldn't you? New manager, new era etc? See how things go? Has he actually said he wants to leave or is it just Liverpool doing their usual "scouting" through the press, unsettling the player and then putting an offer in?

[JJ-AV]

SkySportsNews Sky Sports News
Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy says Luka Modric understands he will not be sold

Ahh... The benefits of giving long term contracts to your players.

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SkySportsNews Sky Sports News
Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy says Luka Modric understands he will not be sold

Ahh... The benefits of giving long term contracts to your players.

I'd be surprised if Modric will stay at Spurs when Yanited come calling.

[Hadley83]

Sell him for £20 million and bring in Adam Johnson.

Would love this to happen but somehow can't see it.

[sid cowans10]

getting sick of players wanting to leave the club i just hope big eck gets rid of everyone that doesnt  want to be here and starts again would sooner have a building year again now than in maybe 2 years time IF YOU DONT WANT TO PLAY FOR VILLA PLEASE F@@K OFF