By joining Liverpool Downing will have made few friends
at Aston Villa, who have lost four England midfielders in two
years
It was April Fool's Day, which, in hindsight, was a clue
that it would be dangerous for the reporters gathered at Bodymoor
Heath to take everything that Stewart Downing was saying at face
value. "Yes, I am happy here," replied Downing when asked whether
he would stay at the club irrespective of what division they were
in next season. "There is speculation that players are going to
clubs all the time but I am happy here."
Downing went on to talk about the debt of gratitude he felt
towards Villa because they had paid Middlesbrough £12m for him, two
years ago, when he was on crutches and had no chance of playing a
game until four months into the season. "A lot of faith went into
me when Martin [O'Neill, the former manager] paid a lot of money
for me when I was injured," he said. "It was a serious injury but I
was over the moon."
A little more than a month later, and on the back of a
thoroughly deserved clean sweep of the club's end-of-season
player-of-the-year awards, Downing gave an interview to the
Birmingham Mail, when he spoke with excitement about the prospect
of signing a new contract at Villa. "I think there's been a couple
of conversations already with my agent," Downing said. "I've
already spoken to the manager who has said he'd like to keep me.
I'm enjoying my stay here. I've enjoyed it since the first day I
came. It's a terrific football club. It's fantastic they want me
... The important thing in football is, if you're happy, then why
change it? I know it's been a disappointing season, but I can see
the bigger picture."
Those Villa supporters who expressed their relief on various
message boards, describing Downing, quite rightly, as the silver
lining in a dreadful season, were in for a shock two weeks later.
"My agent had a recent meeting with our chief executive," said
Downing in an interview with the Northern Echo. "However, I am 26,
and at a major crossroads in my career, so I won't be committing to
a new deal at the moment."
Downing might as well not have bothered uttering the last three
words. He was never going to sign a new contract. The writing was
on the wall and it also appeared on the paperwork submitted to
Villa yesterday afternoon, when Downing submitted a formal transfer
request. Neither Gareth Barry nor James Milner had felt the need to
take that course of action. Villa were left with little option.
After all, what is there to be gained from holding on to a player
against his will?
Villa did that for 12 months with Barry, who also pined for the
chance to move to Anfield, although the circumstances were very
different back then. First, Liverpool failed to meet Villa's
asking price for Barry, which made it easier for the club to dig
their heels in. Second, Villa were starting off the season with
genuine ambitions of trying to qualify for the Champions League.
Third, Barry had a long affinity with Villa and could be trusted to
perform even if he was denied the move that he coveted. None of the
above applies in relation to Downing.
It is, of course, easy to see why Downing is attracted to moving
to Liverpool. As well as the chance to line his pocket, he is
joining a club that appears resurgent under Kenny Dalglish. They
have spent close to £100m since the start of the year and are
genuine contenders for a top-four finish. Villa, on the other hand,
are sliding in the opposite direction. The appointment of Alex
McLeish as manager lacked imagination and top-six finishes are a
thing of the past.
Whether Villa could have done anything about Downing's departure
or not, the reality is that the former Middlesbrough winger has
become the fourth England midfielder to leave the club in the last
two years. Villa, in other words, are a selling club that serve as
a stepping stone for players with greater ambitions.
As long as that remains the case, players like Downing will
continue to move on and it is difficult to criticise them for doing
so provided they are honest about their position. Downing, however,
was happy to lead supporters up the garden path, saying all the
right things until the moment he left Villa Park on the final day
of the season. It is something he might be reminded of when he
returns with Liverpool in the middle of December.
