Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: Mike Field 
Date:Friday July 17 2009
Time: 4:15PM
UK time is: 15:25:21
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Downing's Return Will Be Like A New Player
Comedy quote of the week goes to new signing Stewart Downing who told the official site when he regains fitness it'll be like Villa have an extra player.
He also says that joining Villa has given his spirits a massive boost as he returns from injury, an injury sustained whilst playing against the Villa in a challenge by Petrov at the end of the season - you do wonder, was this an elaborate plan by Monny to get his man?
Anyway, Downing said:
'The rehab is going as well as can be. I have stepped it up now - I'm doing pool and gym work. That is very pleasing because I have been stuck for six or seven weeks not doing much at all.
'At least I am on the move now and joining Villa has given me a boost and I am eager to get back to full fitness as soon as possible.'
Downing explains it's slightly wierd joining a new club but being reasonably isolated as he works on his recovery.
'It's been frustrating and it's not great that I can't go away with the lads on the pre-season tour but equally the overriding feeling is that it's great to be at the club.
'It is strange to join up with a new club and not play - but I will get in and amongst the lads and get to know them - I want to get involved.'
As for whether his Villa debut will make him seem like a new signing:
'I think it will be a bonus to come back at the time I'll be coming back. It will feel like an extra player and I will be fresh as well. I think it will be a bonus.'
As for that nasty man Petrov, Downing insists there are no grudges held.
'I can't wait to see Stiliyan! Joking aside, injuries are part and parcel of the game. It was an accident. The main thing is I am on the way back and it shouldn't be too much longer before I play again. I am looking forward to doing that.'
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Your Comments
sigh
ric112
sigh
ric112
I thought that MoN was intent on signing boys with brains - oh well.
andy5759
I thought that MoN was intent on signing boys with brains - oh well.
andy5759
Haha! Sure is a comedy quote!
Matt_Us
Haha! Sure is a comedy quote!
Matt_Us
Yeah so **ckin what. Where's the other 6 players we need? It's the same old **** every summer. **** optimism, that's never got us anywhere. Let's face it, Downing and some baffoon called Tuncay will be our only signings. We'll begin the season losing 2-0 to Wigan, by Xmas we'll be 10th, Ashley Young will sign for someone like Spurs or Man City in January. But that's ok because by then we'll have our 'new' signing Stewart Downing who'll have probably forgotten how to kick a ball and need 2 years to 'settle in'. I'm currently in Afghanistan, and if it took me 2 years to settle into a new job, i'd be dead. Seen it too many times now. The squad never gets any bigger. I've truly had enough of having the smallest squad. It's a ****ing joke and we're the laughing stock of the Premier League. I'm more *****ed off with Villa at the moment than I am about being stuck in the desert. The official website is like a marathon of bull****. European dreams, new signin(g) happy to sign for such a big club, 'MON calls on the Holte End to create a wall of noise'. How about 'no', '**ck off', we've done our bit and been doing it for a long long time. It's the owners and management who need to prove themselves, not us. My message to MON and RL is start spending or *iss off because this is getting boring. Rant over, now I feel slightly better.
Villan-in-Cyprus
Yeah so **ckin what. Where's the other 6 players we need? It's the same old **** every summer. **** optimism, that's never got us anywhere. Let's face it, Downing and some baffoon called Tuncay will be our only signings. We'll begin the season losing 2-0 to Wigan, by Xmas we'll be 10th, Ashley Young will sign for someone like Spurs or Man City in January. But that's ok because by then we'll have our 'new' signing Stewart Downing who'll have probably forgotten how to kick a ball and need 2 years to 'settle in'. I'm currently in Afghanistan, and if it took me 2 years to settle into a new job, i'd be dead. Seen it too many times now. The squad never gets any bigger. I've truly had enough of having the smallest squad. It's a ****ing joke and we're the laughing stock of the Premier League. I'm more *****ed off with Villa at the moment than I am about being stuck in the desert. The official website is like a marathon of bull****. European dreams, new signin(g) happy to sign for such a big club, 'MON calls on the Holte End to create a wall of noise'. How about 'no', '**ck off', we've done our bit and been doing it for a long long time. It's the owners and management who need to prove themselves, not us. My message to MON and RL is start spending or *iss off because this is getting boring. Rant over, now I feel slightly better.
Villan-in-Cyprus
Way to go Cyprusite.... I'm with you. DOWN with optimism and supporting the villa! I'm off to support man city, it's much better seeing people spend cash on mercenaries!
johnnyuk
Way to go Cyprusite.... I'm with you. DOWN with optimism and supporting the villa! I'm off to support man city, it's much better seeing people spend cash on mercenaries!
johnnyuk
That's the spirit Johnny! Abandon ship. Tell all your friends!
Villan-in-Cyprus
That's the spirit Johnny! Abandon ship. Tell all your friends!
Villan-in-Cyprus
Honestly, I do agree with most of villan-in-cyprus's anger. Where is the ambition in any of our signings? Why do we not seem to look outside the premier league for talent? Where is the strength in depth that we so desperately need? Fact is even if we bring in a replacement for laursen and $arry we still are in the same position as last season where if either of them get injured we are screwed... We are the smallest squad in the premier league, have lost two of our top players and now we bring in an injured player. From speaking to my boro buddies, downing is a good player but he isn't top 4 quality. I completely agree with having a strong, young english core. We already have that english core. What we need now is flair and experience. AND DEPTH... From what I've seen from Mon is he is a top man-manager. He has done a fantastic job with running the team. Give him the players and I believe with him at the helm we can break the top 4. I just don't believe, for whatever reason, he is capable of attracting or signing top players. I hop I'm proved wrong. UTV
Astriel
Honestly, I do agree with most of villan-in-cyprus's anger. Where is the ambition in any of our signings? Why do we not seem to look outside the premier league for talent? Where is the strength in depth that we so desperately need? Fact is even if we bring in a replacement for laursen and $arry we still are in the same position as last season where if either of them get injured we are screwed... We are the smallest squad in the premier league, have lost two of our top players and now we bring in an injured player. From speaking to my boro buddies, downing is a good player but he isn't top 4 quality. I completely agree with having a strong, young english core. We already have that english core. What we need now is flair and experience. AND DEPTH... From what I've seen from Mon is he is a top man-manager. He has done a fantastic job with running the team. Give him the players and I believe with him at the helm we can break the top 4. I just don't believe, for whatever reason, he is capable of attracting or signing top players. I hop I'm proved wrong. UTV
Astriel
I can't for the life of me understand the logic behind his signing!
merlin
Argh... hop i'm proved wrong :) lol... Hope :)
Astriel
I can't for the life of me understand the logic behind his signing!
merlin
Argh... hop i'm proved wrong :) lol... Hope :)
Astriel
Dont worry Villan-in-Cyprus.. We will get more signings in. At least Downing is a quality signing! If we get 3 more of his standard plus a few squad fillers I will be very happy! By the way, according to the "Red top" papers, Aston Villa seem to be a very popular club in Afganistan! ;-) Especially ones with thick black country accents! Might be worth starting a "Kaboul supporters club"! Anyhow, I wish you a succesful and safe time there.
villa_de
Dont worry Villan-in-Cyprus.. We will get more signings in. At least Downing is a quality signing! If we get 3 more of his standard plus a few squad fillers I will be very happy! By the way, according to the "Red top" papers, Aston Villa seem to be a very popular club in Afganistan! ;-) Especially ones with thick black country accents! Might be worth starting a "Kaboul supporters club"! Anyhow, I wish you a succesful and safe time there.
villa_de
Its called a squad merlin, you need more than 11 players. Astriel, (are you Gargamel's cat ?) We have our first team and MON doesn't want to drop or p155 any of them off by buying superstars as it will break the wage structure. Know what you mean about flair but think that with 3 more we could be very well off, seeing the youth coming through aswell. Top four quality know that they are top four quality and will go to play in the top four or abroad. Who should we be going for that isn't already playing champs league or Man City?
Villan444
Its called a squad merlin, you need more than 11 players. Astriel, (are you Gargamel's cat ?) We have our first team and MON doesn't want to drop or p155 any of them off by buying superstars as it will break the wage structure. Know what you mean about flair but think that with 3 more we could be very well off, seeing the youth coming through aswell. Top four quality know that they are top four quality and will go to play in the top four or abroad. Who should we be going for that isn't already playing champs league or Man City?
Villan444
Villa-in-Cyprus.
Spot on mate.
Nice one.
ronbo1
Villa-in-Cyprus.
Spot on mate.
Nice one.
ronbo1
Villan-in-Cyprus, I do understand your frustration mate but try and remember last summer. MON took his time but eventually spent 50M and built an entire team. LB, RB, CB, GK, CM, RW etc. We were all panicking for a long time but he spent the money and delivered 6th place. It was frustrating that more wasn't done in January to allow us to push on but it's always hard to get good players in January. Have some patience for a little longer and see what happens. This summer MON can buy to add to the team rather than build in from scratch(like last summer) and i'm sure we'll all be happy come the end of August. If not i'll be the first venting my anger on here!!
UTV
Villan-in-Cyprus, I do understand your frustration mate but try and remember last summer. MON took his time but eventually spent 50M and built an entire team. LB, RB, CB, GK, CM, RW etc. We were all panicking for a long time but he spent the money and delivered 6th place. It was frustrating that more wasn't done in January to allow us to push on but it's always hard to get good players in January. Have some patience for a little longer and see what happens. This summer MON can buy to add to the team rather than build in from scratch(like last summer) and i'm sure we'll all be happy come the end of August. If not i'll be the first venting my anger on here!!
UTV
i c the logic in the signing! its easy to see that he can play in the middle to fill in for £arry and if Ash misses games, suspension or injury (touch wood) he can play on the left. The problem is that i dont rate him....hopefully he is better than i think he is
overlooked_villan
i c the logic in the signing! its easy to see that he can play in the middle to fill in for £arry and if Ash misses games, suspension or injury (touch wood) he can play on the left. The problem is that i dont rate him....hopefully he is better than i think he is
overlooked_villan
I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS AT ALL WITH VILLA/MON/LERNER , GOOD SOLID PROGRESSION UP TO THIS POINT. WAIT TILL THE START OF THE SEASON TO MAKE YOUR JUDGEMENT
..doctorwho..
I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS AT ALL WITH VILLA/MON/LERNER , GOOD SOLID PROGRESSION UP TO THIS POINT. WAIT TILL THE START OF THE SEASON TO MAKE YOUR JUDGEMENT
..doctorwho..
I RATE HIM, HAPPY TO SEE HIM HERE AND WILL SUPPORT HIM WHILE HES WEARING THE COLOURS,,,,, SIMPLE
..doctorwho..
I RATE HIM, HAPPY TO SEE HIM HERE AND WILL SUPPORT HIM WHILE HES WEARING THE COLOURS,,,,, SIMPLE
..doctorwho..
Stop shouting ..doctorwho.., we'll hear you just as well if you turn off your 'CapsLock'. Good signing, very good signing in fact. Very good piece of business by Mart at twelve million quid. Still time to wrap up deals for the other new faces that MON and his staff are more than well aware that we need. There'll be opportunities too for some of our talented youngsters to step up to the plate during the upcoming campaign, I'm talking 'bout Barry Bannan, Marc Albrighton, and Ciaran Clark. Enough with the gloom and doom, we're on the march we're Martin's army. Never known so much negativity pre-season. As for Stewie and his 'new signing' comment, yes, way to go, that's original. Just think chaps, get Freddie Boom-Boom Bouma back, and that'll be like two new signings. Stevie Sidwell get his act together, show us his true ability and capabilities, and that'll be like three new signings. Need I elaborate further? Come On You Lions!!
glensider
Stop shouting ..doctorwho.., we'll hear you just as well if you turn off your 'CapsLock'. Good signing, very good signing in fact. Very good piece of business by Mart at twelve million quid. Still time to wrap up deals for the other new faces that MON and his staff are more than well aware that we need. There'll be opportunities too for some of our talented youngsters to step up to the plate during the upcoming campaign, I'm talking 'bout Barry Bannan, Marc Albrighton, and Ciaran Clark. Enough with the gloom and doom, we're on the march we're Martin's army. Never known so much negativity pre-season. As for Stewie and his 'new signing' comment, yes, way to go, that's original. Just think chaps, get Freddie Boom-Boom Bouma back, and that'll be like two new signings. Stevie Sidwell get his act together, show us his true ability and capabilities, and that'll be like three new signings. Need I elaborate further? Come On You Lions!!
glensider
None of you are going to stop being fans! Loyalty for life... so there's nothing you can do!
Matt_Us
None of you are going to stop being fans! Loyalty for life... so there's nothing you can do!
Matt_Us
He says "spend 6 weeks doing ***** all" bit like the last 6 weeks of our season, I hope this is not a very expensive "gamble" on MON's part. If we have a bad start to the season the 8th is what the bookies predict and 8th is where we will struggle to get.
col8
He says "spend 6 weeks doing ***** all" bit like the last 6 weeks of our season, I hope this is not a very expensive "gamble" on MON's part. If we have a bad start to the season the 8th is what the bookies predict and 8th is where we will struggle to get.
col8
Don't worry Matt_us, i'm Villa through and through and I will be until the day I die. It's only because I love the club so much that it's angered me like it has. Good idea villa_de, I should start up a Supporter's Club here in Camp Bastion haha the one in Cyprus is doing ok. Not met a Taliban with a Midland dialect yet, but then i've only been here 2 weeks so there's still time yet! Oops gotta go, take care everyone and up the mighty Villa
Villan-in-Cyprus
Don't worry Matt_us, i'm Villa through and through and I will be until the day I die. It's only because I love the club so much that it's angered me like it has. Good idea villa_de, I should start up a Supporter's Club here in Camp Bastion haha the one in Cyprus is doing ok. Not met a Taliban with a Midland dialect yet, but then i've only been here 2 weeks so there's still time yet! Oops gotta go, take care everyone and up the mighty Villa
Villan-in-Cyprus
I can understand why we grabbed Downing. If we'd waited for him to be fit he'd have cost another £5m and even if he doesnt' play until January, we've stolen a march and got the player, other than that we'd have had to wait until Jan to get him and would have had competition from Spurs and Liverpool etc. Count him as a winter transfer signing (the same transfer window we usually don't get players in) and then you won't see it as a bad move?!
The Fear
I can understand why we grabbed Downing. If we'd waited for him to be fit he'd have cost another £5m and even if he doesnt' play until January, we've stolen a march and got the player, other than that we'd have had to wait until Jan to get him and would have had competition from Spurs and Liverpool etc. Count him as a winter transfer signing (the same transfer window we usually don't get players in) and then you won't see it as a bad move?!
The Fear
dont question the smarts of signing him earlier, but i dont rate him nearly as highly as Capello or mart. Cant think of a game i have seen him play when i thought he was good. Hope to hell he is good n if anyone can get the best outa him it is MON. He will also help attract high quality players to us aswell
overlooked_villan
dont question the smarts of signing him earlier, but i dont rate him nearly as highly as Capello or mart. Cant think of a game i have seen him play when i thought he was good. Hope to hell he is good n if anyone can get the best outa him it is MON. He will also help attract high quality players to us aswell
overlooked_villan
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