Stewart Downing has made his long awaited debut for Aston Villa Football Club.

Signed from Middlesbrough in a £12million summer move, the England international has been unable to make his bow for the Midlands side due to a long-standing injury.

But the England international finally donned a Villa shirt on Saturday afternoon, after he came off the bench to play twenty minutes of the 1-1 draw at Burnley.

"I think that's a big plus for him. In terms of match fitness, he's a distance away but I thought a spurt here would be useful and he might provide something,” said manager Martin O’Neill.

"He has got into the action, which is great, and he can only improve. We have a game in midweek he will play in. Just being part of it after that injury is great for him."

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