Downing has O’Neill looking up at last
Stewart Downing’s career at his new club has spluttered thanks to a broken bone he sustained while playing for Middlesbrough in May.
That injury meant that Downing has been unable to begin repaying his £12 million (€13.1m) transfer fee, until last weekend, that is. After introducing him as a 70th- minute substitute at Turf Moor, manager Martin O’Neill is now relishing the prospect of seeing his high-profile new man in action.
O’Neill is wily enough to realise it will take time for the 25-year-old to rediscover the form which made him a regular in the England squad, but he is just delighted to see the player back on the pitch.
“Just to get on the field of play is a very positive sign for him,” said the Villa manager. “It might still be a bit too early as, in terms of proper fitness, it will be hard for him at the moment because of the amount of football he has not played.
“I’ll be the first to tell you he is not entirely fit but he has been desperate to be involved with us.
“He’s a very decent player, he’s played a number of times for England and he can play.
“But I think if he stays clear of injury we’ll see the best of him from Christmas onwards.”
James Milner, ironically one of the players who is now ahead of Downing in the England squad for a wide role, set up Villa’s equaliser with four minutes remaining.
Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen’s weak punch from a corner went only as far as the 23-year-old – playing as a stand-in right-back for the last 10 minutes – and he crossed to the far post where substitute Emile Heskey stooped to nod home from close range.
That goal cancelled out Steven Caldwell’s ninth-minute header from Robbie Blake’s inswinging free-kick.
Both sides had other chances to score, with an Andre Bikey volley going close for the Clarets in the first half and Gabriel Agbonlahor being denied only by Jensen’s fingertips when clean through after the interval.
Heskey’s goal was his first in the Premier League since April 18 and O’Neill said he expected more from the England forward.
“He needs to keep the fire burning and score a few goals,” O’Neill said. “That will be a huge boost to him.”
Burnley manager Owen Coyle was keen to praise his striker Steven Fletcher, who gave Republic of Ireland centre-back Richard Dunne an uncomfortable afternoon.
However, he said it was the attitude of all his squad, particularly the less experienced ones, which was keeping the Clarets ticking over in mid-table in their maiden Premier League season.
“Fletcher is playing out of his skin and that is what we want,” said Coyle. “I believe he is getting better and better. I’ve known him since he was a kid coming through at Hibernian and he is one I’ve always kept my eye on.
“He has quick feet, an eye for a goal and is good in the air. I think he has taken confidence in the fact that, as good as the players are who he is playing against, he is at that level.
“I hope he continues to get better and be a tremendous servant for this club. These are top-class players we are coming up against but my players are showing they are up for that.
“They are going toe to toe with them and we are showing quality ourselves. The younger group have an appetite for it but they have to learn quickly.”
REFEREE: Howard Webb (Yorkshire) 6: Did his best to let the game flow and gave allowances for some exuberant tackling in the teeming rain.
MATCH RATING: ** The conditions made life difficult for both teams and there was precious little flowing football played. A draw was fair.
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