Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing played for Aston Villa between 2009 and 2011.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, Stewart Downing has fallen out with Aitor Karanka at Middlebsrough.
Downing and Karanka are said to have had a training ground bust up, with their relationship now very strained.
Karanka’s future at the Riverside Stadium is in doubt, but if he remains with Middlesbrough next season – then Downing is likely to leave.
And Aston Villa should give some consideration to bringing the 32-year-old midfielder back to Villa Park.
Downing spent two seasons at Villa between 2009 and 2011, and it was arguably the best period of his career.
The England international thrived with the claret and blues, and he could still be a valuable addition to Steve Bruce’s side.
Although Downing has now lost a yard of pace, his experience would help guide some of Villa’s younger players.
Downing knows what it takes to get promoted from the Championship, and that will be the expectation for Villa next term.
Bruce has already made a lot of alterations since taking charge at Villa, but if Downing is available this summer, he should jump at the chance of bringing him back to the Midlands club.
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