Villa to lose another player?

Stewart Downing is on the verge of joining Liverpool after being told by Aston Villa that he is free to leave the club.

Downing is understood to be on his way to Anfield if the Reds are able to meet the £19 million asking price for the winger. It is believed that new boss Alex McLeish is reluctant to lose the England international, but with recent contract talks at Villa Park stalling, the club may be prepared to take accept a transfer fee and move instead for Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan.

McLeish earlier told the Birmingham Mail that while he was resigned to losing Ashley Young to Manchester United, he was still interested in keeping Downing.

McLeish certainly be looking to try and keep Stewart who has got a couple of years left on his contract.

Liverpool have also been scouting cheaper alternatives to Downing, including Dimitri Payet from St Etienne, but the Englishman is still the club's preferred target.

Meanwhile, the movement at Villa is set to continue, with Rangers confirming they have made an offer to Carlos Cuellar, while McLeish is expected to announce the signing of Germinal Beerschot's Victor Wanyama, despite the midfielder being heavily linked to Swansea and Celtic.