Downing promises ‘best football’ for Villans

(GSM) – Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing has vowed that he would produce his best football for the club after a disappointing campaign last season.

The England international, who arrived at the West Midlands club while still recuperating from a broken foot last season, is looking forward to his full new Premier League season.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill recruited the 25-year-old during last summer’s transfer window for £12million from Middlesbrough.

After entering the fray in mid-November, the former Boro academy player went on to earn mixed reviews from his debut season, and is now relishing a full pre-season programme.

He told the Express & Star: “It is just good to get the start of a good pre-season under my belt because last season I missed six or seven months, including the whole of pre-season. It is nice being among the lads from the off.

“I think it helps to get a pre-season under your belt because if you miss a lot of the football and the running, you are playing catch-up, which I was when I came back.

“The pleasing thing was I came through the injury and didn’t get any setbacks. This time I have joined the lads from day one, I’m feeling quite fit and started quite well with the running.

“Hopefully I’ll have a good pre-season, get a few games under my belt and hopefully you will see the best of me.”