Stewart Downing glad to swap focus

Stewart Downing has admitted the chance to join up with the England squad is a welcome relief from the stress of Villa's current Premier League plight.

Downing is preparing for England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales with Villa team-mates Darren Bent, Ashley Young and Kyle Walker.

And the 26-year-old is happy to swap his Villa shirt for an England one and revealed the break from club football will benefit all those on international duty.

He said: "It does help you. You are going into a different environment with a different kind of pressure so obviously if you go there and do well it can help bring confidence back to club.

"Sometimes the break does you good, we can also regroup and get some players back from injury and suspension so it has probably come at a good time.

"Then we can get focused and go again because we missed some of those not involved against Wolves."

If he plays, Downing is likely to come up against Villa defender James Collins, who is set to captain Wales at the Millenium Stadium, and the Middlesbrough-born midfielder could not resist a bit of banter in the build-up to the game.

The winger said: "There are a few Villa lads in the squad so hopefully we can all play a part. Obviously James Collins is in the Wales squad so there will be a bit of rivalry there.

"I'm sure there will be a few texts flying around this week about what is going to happen but that's what you like in a way. It is enjoyable to play against your mates and wind them up if you can get one over on them.

"I'm looking forward to it because it is a big game and hopefully I'll be involved."