New Villa boss wants Downing to stay

New manager Alex McLeish today made keeping Stewart Downing his top priority as he bids to rebuild Villa.

McLeish is resigned to losing Ashley Young to Manchester United but believes he can convince unsettled winger Downing to stay.

The 26-year-old is being courted by Liverpool and put contract talks on ice this month, after revealing his desire to play in the Champions League.

But McLeish, unveiled at Villa yesterday after his shock switch from Birmingham, insisted he doesn't want to lose the England ace.

The manager said: "No chance do we want Stewart Downing to go. We certainly don't want to lose Stewart – he's a top player.

"I need to see what Stewart's thinking when he comes back because I know that he made some comments when he was away on England duty.

"He's a top player and has a couple of years left on his contract and it's very important we hold onto Stewart."

McLeish will need to plug the gap left by the 25-year-old and has been linked with Blackpool's Charlie Adam – and his former Blues players.

Scott Dann and Ben Foster have been listed as possible targets and McLeish admitted he could raid St Andrew's this summer.

He said: "If a Blues player was the right fit, I don't think it would put me off. If I thought a player could improve Aston Villa then why not?"