downers was also voted villa player of the year here; http://www.birminghammail.net/birmin...7319-28754752/
WATCHING Stewart Downing deservedly pick up his three player-of-the-season awards at Villa’s annual dinner function earlier this month, my mind idly wandered to a sun-kissed summer in Portugal.
It was not an ‘already on the beach’ sensation as the campaign neared its conclusion and I prepared for my holidays, it was more me reflecting on fans’ feelings towards Downing on Villa’s pre-season tour last August.
Travelling with supporters to matches at the Guadiana Cup competition in the Algarve, the general consensus was that Downing was a waste of money.
Those views were based on a difficult half-a-season spell for the £12 million winger who was striving for form and fitness after signing for Villa on crutches.
I was surprised at the level of criticism aimed at Downing on that coach, particularly because those supporters are among the club’s most loyal, well-informed, understanding followers.
So it is against that backdrop that Downing has gone from zero to hero. From being branded a predictable one-footed softie, to becoming Villa’s most influential player by a mile, the transformation is complete.
He can score goals, he can make goals, he can speed games up or slow them down, on his left foot or his right. But, most impressively, he can make his critics admit they were so, so wrong.
WATCHING Stewart Downing deservedly pick up his three player-of-the-season awards at Villa’s annual dinner function earlier this month, my mind idly wandered to a sun-kissed summer in Portugal.
It was not an ‘already on the beach’ sensation as the campaign neared its conclusion and I prepared for my holidays, it was more me reflecting on fans’ feelings towards Downing on Villa’s pre-season tour last August.
Travelling with supporters to matches at the Guadiana Cup competition in the Algarve, the general consensus was that Downing was a waste of money.
Those views were based on a difficult half-a-season spell for the £12 million winger who was striving for form and fitness after signing for Villa on crutches.
I was surprised at the level of criticism aimed at Downing on that coach, particularly because those supporters are among the club’s most loyal, well-informed, understanding followers.
So it is against that backdrop that Downing has gone from zero to hero. From being branded a predictable one-footed softie, to becoming Villa’s most influential player by a mile, the transformation is complete.
He can score goals, he can make goals, he can speed games up or slow them down, on his left foot or his right. But, most impressively, he can make his critics admit they were so, so wrong.
Same with Carroll - we cannot wait 3 or 4 years for him to come good either!
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