Stewart Downing in talks with Aston Villa 'amid Liverpool and Utd interest'

Posted Sunday, May 08, 2011 by Metro.co.uk

Stewart Downing in talks with Aston Villa 'amid Liverpool and Utd interest'
Villa keen to keep hold of Stewart Downing

Aston Villa are reportedly desperate to keep Stewart Downing at Villa Park and out of the clutches of Manchester United and Liverpool.

Club officials are said to have conceded that the England international is likely to be sold in the summer, with the north-west giants both rumoured to be interested in the 26-year-old.

However, Villa assistant manager Gary McAllister said the club needs to try to retain good players like Downing.

'There's two years left on Stewart's contract and we are getting into that area where it's coming into our vision,' he told The Mirror.

'It's in progress at the moment. We are starting to make contact with his agent.

'We have to keep good players here.'

Downing, who is a leading contender for Villa's player of the season award, joined the side from Middlesbrough for £12million in July 2009 and has proved a real asset to the squad.

Villa will be especially keen to hold on to him in light of rumours that Ashley Young will be sold in a £25million deal this summer, with Liverpool, Tottenham and Real Madrid all said to be interested in the 25-year-old.

McAllister is currently in charge of the Villa squad while manager Gerard Houllier recovers from his recent heart problems.