Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Saturday August 7 2010
Time: 4:26PM
UK time is: 00:13:52
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Stewart Downing - It Is All About Confidence
Martin O'Neill spoke to The Official Site about Stewart Downing after the Valencia friendly at Villa Park on Friday night.
The Villa boss said of the player we signed last summer whilst recovering from an injury picked up in a tackle with Stiliyan Petrov...
'Stewart has definitely got the ability. It is confidence really. A confident Stewart Downing is a really top class player. What he has to do is - it is all very well having this confidence given to you by people like myself - but you've got to have it yourself even in bad moments.'
Adding, 'He showed tonight, in more than glimpses, his ability and a major thing - confidence. He's a top quality player, he's got the ability and when he has the confidence to go with it he is a major threat.'
He hit the crossbar with a very good free kick, a glimpse of things to come? Downing has been quoted himself that he is happy to have got a full pre-season behind him and so hopefully he will be ready and fully fit for this season. Last year, when he appeared around Christmas time, he again showed glimpses but by the end of the season looked shattered. This I think is his first MAJOR season for Villa, he has a large price tag to live up to and plenty of positive talk about his ability.
Lets hope he can deliver, I'm sure he can.
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Your Comments
hopefully a top season from the winger.
The Fear
Confidence is very important, but so is talent, and the truth is that Downing's talent is limited. The £12m price tag won't help him as it raises expectations to an unrealistic level. Playing out of position also won't help him, and he can't be blamed for either of these things. Blowing hot air up somebody's ass can help to a certain extent, but there is a point when it becomes counter-productive. I hope for Downing's sake he spends most of his time on the left. This is the biggest favour his manager can do him.
Albarnista
Think that there is a modicum of talent there but for some reason, MON has lost his ability to get the best out of people. Or even he can only do it for one or 2 players at a time. Ashley and Luke Young season before last, Milner and 3 or 4 defenders this year. Maybe they are all playing well above themselves and the team isn't really that good, maybe they haven't been rotated enough, maybe they've been played in the wrong position. They always run out of steam (can this be confidence ) in January. A lot of people go on about MON needing to move into the 21st century RE: methods and moving away from the Cloughie styleee. The buck must surely rest with the Manager and his main coaches whatever. Who will be the lucky chosen favourites this year for extra pats on backs, arms round shoulders, 90 mins every week regardless of form and double rations of Turkey at the Christmas Do????????
Villan444
Villan444, I'd say you're just about right. Downing can do a job in a top half team. It's just unfortunate for him that he was signed for £12m. You're absolutely right in that our manager needs to get hip to the modern jive. The fitness of our players is unquestionably excellent, but this doesn't mean that they can play non-stop without getting jaded.
Albarnista
I think confidence is essential for Downing. I never rated him when he was at boro, but i remember watching him play a game for England before joining us where he was amazing, absolutely outstanding. If we can get a glimpse of that in a Villa shirt, i think alot of people will change their opinion of him.
AndyFC
AndyFC, that wasn't against Andorra was it? ;-)
Albarnista
Based on last night's performance, he is way behind Albrighton for a place in the starting eleven
DoLpHiNaToR
Dolphinator, given that Albrighton needs a run to show what he can really do, and given that he is still young and has potential, I'd agree. But we have to be careful not to expect too much of our youngsters too soon - particularly when they've played hardly any football at Premier League level.
Albarnista
Albarnista, this is your most well balanced set of comments that I've ever had the pleasure to read. And I totally agree. We must have fitness and rotation and Albrighton must not be rushed. Downing must be played on the right and Ashley on the left - he's a bloody menace when he's on the left, nearly unstoppable.
koolbill
all shall be revealed.....in a week
Steve64k
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