Downing reluctant to sign new Villa deal

Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing has refused to sign a new deal at the club, it was reported Thursday, revealing he is determined to play Champions League football in future. The 26-year-old told The Northern Echo newspaper he is reluctant to sign an extension to the final two years of his current deal, hinting strongly that he may decide to leave Villa Park. "I know the club are keen for me to extend my contract as I only have two years left on my deal," Downing told the Echo. "My agent (Struan Marshall) had a recent meeting with our chief executive (Paul Faulkner). "However, I am 26, and at a major crossroads in my career, so I won't be committing to a new deal at the moment." Failure to keep Downing would be a huge blow for Villa, who are also battling to persuade Ashley Young, a reported target of Manchester United and Liverpool. Downing said his injury-hit first year at Villa had made him determined to make the most of his playing career. "I want to keep playing and enjoying my football. When I was injured that made me realise what it can be like to be out for such a long time. "It hurt. The most important thing is to play football, but I do want to play in the Champions League at some point."