Middlesbrough have agreed a fee in the region of £12million for the transfer of England winger Stewart Downing to Aston Villa.

The 24-year-old Middlesbrough and England midfielder was injured against Villa in May and is likely to remain out of first team action until well into the new season.

More links:
Aston Villa club page
Aston Villa headlines
Aston Villa forum

Downing is currently recovering from foot surgery which is likely to sideline him until October at the earliest, but has been promised by chairman Steve Gibson that he can leave if a big club comes in at the right price.

more news to follow..