Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce intriguingly named Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing as a player he’d like to bring back.
Steve Bruce has told Aston Villa’s official Youtube channel that if he could sign any past past claret and blues player to add to his current squad it would be Gary Shaw.
Bruce and Shaw played together at England youth level when they were younger, and he was highly impressed by the striker.
Shaw played for Villa for 10 years between 1978 and 1988, scoring 59 times for the Midlands club.
In more recent times, Bruce has also ben impressed by the likes of Steve Staunton, Stylian Petrov and Stewart Downing.
“I had the privilege to play with him when he was 18, and unfortunately he got caught with injury. I think now, if I could have Gary Shaw as my centre forward, then I’d be delighted about that,” Bruce said, when asked which Villa player he’d like back.
“But when I think of Staunton, Petrov and Downing it’s endless the list of good players that have played for this club.”
Downing’s name being mentioned is interesting, as Villa may have a chance of actually bringing the experienced midfielder back in the summer.
Downing’s future at current club Middlesbrough is in doubt, and he may well leave the Riverside Stadium in the near future.
Whether Villa could find a place for Downing in their starting line-up is not totally certain, but there is a possibility that the transfer could take place.
Downing made 79 appearances for Villa during his first spell with the club, scoring 11 times.
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