Villa are bracing themselves for a fresh wave of interest in Ashley Young as they close in on the £12million capture of Stewart Downing.

The Middlesbrough winger, who is expected to be sidelined until October with a broken foot, hobbled into Villa’s Bodymoor Heath headquarters yesterday to begin talks and was pencilled in for a ‘stringent’ medical today.

Personal terms were expected to be completed later, with a four-year deal likely to be put on the table.

Villa will pay relegated Boro £10million up front, with a further £2m dependent on appearances.

Fears that Tottenham might make a last-ditch bid for one of their long-term targets have so far failed to materialise, with White Hart Lane chief Harry Redknapp thought to need to sell before he can buy.

But, while that has cleared the way for Martin O’Neill to land Downing, the Villa boss will be powerless to prevent the speculation over Young’s future prompted by the arrival of another left-sided England winger.

With cash at a premium, Spurs would be prepared to offer any of David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas, Tom Huddlestone and Darren Bent in part-exchange for Young, but it is thought any such offer would be rebuffed.

Villa’s resolve may be further tested by Chelsea, who could offer Young Champions League football and have money to burn after failed attempts to sign David Villa and Franck Ribery.

A bid from Manchester United cannot be completely discounted either, despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s claims his summer spending is over, while Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona have both previously been linked.

But Villa are adamant Young and Downing could be accommodated in the same team.

The Express & Star understands O’Neill is considering using either left-footed Downing or James Milner in place of Gareth Barry in the centre of midfield.