Villa were today rocked by the news £12m winger Stewart Downing could have to wait until Christmas to make his debut.

It was initially thought the foot injury sustained against Villa in May would keep the former Middlesbrough man sidelined until October.

But the 25-year-old England star, Villa’s only summer signing to date, has admitted he may be forced to wait until December to make his claret and blue bow.

“The injury is a bit of a strange one,” said Downing. “It’s not a break but there’s a fracture there. I’ve had to have it pinned and that should come out in September. Then it’s a case of building it up.

“The target is early December. If I’m ready before then that’s a bonus, if it’s after it just needs time to heal.

“I’m sure I will play before Christmas. The manager wants me 100 per cent right and is prepared to give me extra time to do it.”

Should Villa qualify, Downing’s prolonged absence would rule him out of almost the entire Europa League Group Stages as well as the first third of the Premier League campaign. If he was to return after Boxing Day it would mean the £12m man had missed 19 games – half of the Premier League season.

Downing admits he feared the injury may have cost him his chance of a big summer move – as well as risking his England World Cup dreams.

“Once I heard in the summer that the manager was after me, I wanted to go,” he said.

“I thought I might have to wait until January which was frustrating because it’s a World Cup year. I was thinking ‘will Fabio (Capello) pick me if I’m playing in the Championship?’ The chances are probably not, so I owe Martin O’Neill a lot. I can’t wait to get fit.”

* Villa’s hopes of signing Sylvain Distin have been dealt a blow after Portsmouth slapped a £5m price tag on the defender’s head – double Martin O’Neill’s valuation.

Meanwhile, Bolton are reportedly closing in on a £4.5m move for Villa defender Zat Knight.