Downing cash key to Villa hopes on Andy Carroll

Stewart Downing has emerged as a potentially key figure in Aston Villa's hopes of doing business with Liverpool for England striker Andy Carroll.

Stewart Downing has emerged as a potentially key figure in Aston Villa's hopes of doing business with Liverpool for England striker Andy Carroll.

The £35m forward is up for grabs following the change of management at Anfield which has seen Brendan Rodgers take over.

Newcastle, Carroll's former club, were first to broach the prospect of a deal by suggesting a loan for a season to be followed by a permanent transfer.

But Liverpool want a firmer commitment to recouping at least £20m of their massive outlay – and Villa are ready to provide it.

The Reds still owe a significant portion of the £20m they agreed to pay for Downing a year ago and this is now seen as a significant bargaining chip for Villa who have opened talks with their Premier League rivals to sound out the prospect of a deal.

Villa boss Paul Lambert would love to see his new club bidding for a player of Carroll's credentials as he continues a rebuild.

That is gathering pace with the signing of Dutch international defender Ron Vlaar all but confirmed by reports from Holland.

Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman has conceded Vlaar is off and is already talking about signing his replacement, while the defender said: "I was in Birmingham on Sunday to have talks with Paul Lambert and left with a very positive impression."