Stewart Downing will not be leaving Aston Villa this season, according to boss Alex McLeish. The player had been linked with a move to Liverpool and Sunderland.

However, the new boss was quick to rule out a move away from Villa Park for the England international.

"No chance do we want Stewart Downing to go. We certainly don't want to lose Stewart," McLeish told talkSPORT.

''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.''