Downing could leave Villa

Stewart Downing is set to follow Ashley Young as the next high-profile exit from Villa as speculation intensifies that he will be allowed to join Liverpool.

The 26-year-old winger has two years left on his contract and, although new manager Alex McLeish has expressed a desire to keep the England international, he will not stand in his way if he wants to move to Anfield.

Much will be depend on whether Liverpool can meet Villa's asking price and the claret and blues are determined to not let one of their prize assets leave on the cheap.

Villa will hold out for a fee in the region of £19million, although Reds boss Kenny Dalglish may be forced to sell before he can complete the deal for a player he had watched on a number of occasions last season.

It is preferable to both parties to avoid a repeat of the transfer sagas which have stained the departures of Gareth Barry and James Milner in recent seasons, with McLeish keen to establish the transfer budget he can work with and have plenty of time to sound out potential targets.

Young's final season at Villa had an unsettling effect on the rest of the squad as there was constant speculation as to whether he would stay or go, as the clock ticked down on his contract.

And the club are eager to resolve Downing's situation sooner rather than later and, as the player has done a U-turn on his decision to sign a new contract, it appears his heart is set on a move elsewhere.

Source: Birmingham Express and Star