Aston Villa are ready to explore the possibility of bringing Stewart Downing back to the club this month, reports The Birmingham Mail.
Downing, 32, is free to leave Middlesbrough this month and Villa have wasted no time in making themselves potential suitors to the former England international.
The 32-year-old spent two years with Villa before earning a big money move to Liverpool in 2011 but has spent the last two seasons with Middlesbrough, where he began his career 15 years ago.
Villa manager Steve Bruce was interested in signing Downing on loan until the end of the season when they sold Rudy Gestede to the Premier League giants last week but was given the impression the experienced winger would not be leaving Riverside this season.
However, that stance has already changed and now there is a chance Downing could return to Villa Park where he arguably produced the best football of his career.
Downing has featured in 17 Premier League fixtures this season, although only 11 of those have come as a starter. He has registered two assists and scored one goal, but the last one those came back in October (vs Bournemouth).
For more stats on Stewart Downing, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
