What have Villa fans done to deserve this!

Football - Middlesbrough v Fulham Barclays Premier League

The Rumour

Aston Villa will shell out £10million for Stewart Downing – even though the Middlesbrough winger will be out injured until November.

Boss Martin O’Neill, who has also shown an interest in Boro’s Turkish forward Tuncay Sanli, is keen to tie up the deal this week, despite the England star’s foot problem.

Downing, 24, suffered his injury against Villa in May and had an operation – but has been told his recovery will take longer than originally expected.

The Source: (Sunday People)

The Analysis

I don’t get this one at all. Yes it’s true Martin O’Neill is worried about losing left winger Ashley Young but does he really believe that Boro man Stewart Downing is the solution to this potential departure? Because believe me, he isn’t!

Vastly overrated, incredibly one footed and unable to beat a man with pace or trickery all that the England international can offer is the occasional accurate cross, is that really worth forking out £10m for! I think not.

Gareth Southgate is facing a mass exodus and will want to keep hold of as many of his top names as possible but I fear he will lose this battle and will fail to bounce back to the Premier League any time soon, quite why Steve Gibson hasn’t sacked the inept manager is beyond me!

The Likelihood

Downing to Aston Villa: Could happen and if it does Villa fans will surely not be happy!

Get a free £10 bet on Aston Villa by joining William Hill now.