Former Aston Villa winger, Mark Walters, isn’t one to mince words and he had no hesitation in saying that the club should not transfer Stewart Downing out of the club after join Ashley Young had earlier been given away. Walters said that the side could end up getting relegated if Villa did let go of both their excellent players in the same window.
There is no doubt that Downing and Young were two of the biggest reasons why Aston Villa was able to end their campaign in the EPL last season on a high. Aston Villa finished the EPL 2010-11 season in the top half of the table.
Young was sold to Manchester United despite having one year of his contract remaining and now, Downing has been discussed about as one of those who could be given away. The 26-year-old still has a couple of years remaining in his contract but there is massive speculation of his transfer as well.
There have been many clubs interested in signing up Downing, including Liverpool. Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish has been wanting to sign up for different varieties of players to improve the way his side’s results from the previous year. Liverpool had earlier wanted to sign up Ashley Young and Charles N’Zogbia but Young has got into Manchester United and while N’Zogbia has said he does not want to change his club for now.
This has meant that Liverpool are looking to go after Downing and an official offer has been made.
This has not gone down too well with Walters who has said that the Aston manager, Alex McLeish, would do well to hold on to its current players and build on the team. Walters has said that Aston Villa could have to struggle again if they were left without their star players and could end relegated as well.
Walters said, “To say that selling Downing would leave them weak would be a massive understatement. It would be suicidal. Selling him just after Ashley Young would mean Villa should expect another relegation fight as we don’t have the type of players to replace them.”
Liverpool’s official bid was for £15 million, which was rejected by Aston Villa, but the speculation is that if Liverpool offer £20m, the bid might be accepted. Walters said that while the price was right for Downing, it did not mean that the Villans should let go of the star player.