It would be ‘brilliant’ if Gerard Houllier stayed with Aston Villa – Stewart Downing

Stewart Downing,Aston Villa(Getty Images)

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Aston Villa‘s Stewart Downing hopes manager Gerard Houllier receives the all clear to return to the club.

The Frenchman missed the end of the season due to ill health and is rumoured to be on his way out of Villa Park.

Downing told reporters: “We have seen the rumours going about but we haven’t been told anything yet. We were told at the end of the season he was coming back.

“He came in at a difficult time and did quite well with the team.

“He has been good for me personally and if he stays then brilliant. If he goes I wish him all the best.”

Downing is in the England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland and is beginning to feel like a regular in Fabio Capello’s squad.

“It feels like that,” he said. “Obviously I’ve missed a few years with injury but I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of performances for England.

“I just want to put a run together now, enjoy my football and keep my place in the squad.”

The former Middlesbrough man has played in several positions this season, and revealed he is happy to mix it up in order to get into the team.

“As a player, you have to be able to adapt to certain positions and I feel at home in the middle when I play for Aston Villa, where I’m happy to be involved,” he admitted.

“I think as a player you have to adapt and whether you’re out wide or in the middle, I am happy to play wherever.

“The 4-4-3 formation suits my game and I enjoyed the last game like that and I think it suits the team.”

He added: “We have trained well today, the lads are confident and there’s no sign of fatigue or switching off.

“It’s a big game for our country so we’re ready. There is great competition for places in the squad, it’s good for the Manager to have more options and that’s a good sign for us.

“I know that we won out there 3-1, but it’s still going to be a difficult game at home depending on how they will come and play.

“We’re confident we can go and win the game, which will push us on.

“We need to win the game, it’s a big game for our country. It would give us a big step towards qualifying if we can win.”