Downing: Villa move justified

(GSM) – Stewart Downing says he is happy he chose to move to Aston Villa. The left-winger joined Martin O’Neill’s side in the summer after Middlesbrough were relegated into the Championship last season.

A host of Premier League clubs were interested in the England international, but Downing opted to join Villa. And the 25-year-old says his decision to move to the West Midlands has been been fruitful as Villa look to end a 14-year silverware drought ahead of their FA Cup final clash with Manchester United.

“This is why I moved to Villa,” Downing, who missed the start of the season with a foot injury, told The Sun. “I came for European football to start with and this is making up for it.

“We’re fighting for fourth, we’re in a Carling Cup final and in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. It couldn’t have gone any better.

“But this is a big game – big for the club, big for the players.”

Downing is excited about the prospect of winning the FA Cup and says being the underdog suits his side.

“We are trying to be as normal as possible but we are travelling down a couple of days before so it’s not quite normal,” the winger admitted.

“I’ve got maybe 30 people going – parents, uncles, a few mates, close relations.

“Manchester United being favourites suits us.

“We’ve done quite well against them this season.

“We’ve taken four points off them and not many sides have done that.

“I hope that it’s at the back of their minds – that we’re a team to be feared.”