Gerard Houllier today hailed the all-round talents of Stewart Downing and believes the winger has grown as a player during his time as Villa boss.

Downing scored one goal and created another in Villa’s 4-1 win over Blackburn and was just pipped to the man-of-the-match award by two-goal hero Ashley Young.

The 26-year-old has now scored six Premier League goals this season and will have the 10-goal mark in sights. That would beat his best haul of nine for Middlesbrough in the 2007-8 season.

And Houllier admitted the winger’s ability to be equally adept on either flank is what has impressed him the most.

“Stewart was outstanding,” said Houllier. “If you have seen practically all our games and you will know that he has improved a lot.

“Stewart can play on either side of the pitch, right or left. He’s one of the rare players who can use his right or left foot.

“I think there were injury worries at the back of his mind at the beginning of the season but now he looks like he’s enjoying it.

“He’s more confident, he can pass, he can score, his goal was fantastic. His technique is good and that’s why we want to work the same with Marc Albrighton.

“Marc was a bit down at half-time. The easy option would be to take him off, but I told him you’ve got to be mentally stronger.”
and the fact he made the second goal.”

The Villa was also particularly pleased with the growing togetherness in his squad which was epitomised by the way the substitutes celebrated their opening goal.

Houllier added: “One of my moments of happiness was when I saw the reaction from the bench when we scored because we had some senior players on there, yet everyone was happy and wanted to share that positive emotion.

“That’s a good sign for the future.  It starts from there. The attitude from the players on the bench, if they’re happy, because they will be involved, I like that.

“I haven’t changed my training, but I know the players are intelligent and clever. They are good players because they play at a high level so I knew they would improve. I would say we have all improved.”