I guess out of a tough decision out of Downing & Bentley, I'd go for Downing. I still think Young should be way above those 2 in the England ranks though.

Tuncay would be a good signing as I imagine you'll pick him up for next to nothing.

Mark Hughes has upped the ante in Manchester City's pursuit of John Terry by making an extraordinary public plea to the Chelsea captain to "reignite" his career at Eastlands.

In a set of remarks carried by every leading daily national, suggesting that they were made in a separate press conference to the one broadcast yesterday by Sky Sports News to mark the arrival of Carlos Tevez, Hughes declared that the defender needed a new challenge. The comments are bound to enrage Chelsea, who insist Terry is not for sale, and may yet rebound on the City manager if they strengthen the London's club resolve not to let the 28-year-old depart.

"We could offer John Terry a different challenge. From my own experience, when you have been with a club a long time, you maybe get to a point when you need a new challenge, when you think a change of scenery would just reignite certain things within you," Hughes said.

Terry has yet to comment on City's interest - a reticence that has encouraged the Welshman.

"It is not a question of money. It is about a different challenge, a different stage in his life and career.

"Maybe that is why there hasn't been a response, because John is seriously thinking in those terms. I went through that process myself as a player and I can understand if that is the way he is thinking."

"We made an offer to Chelsea and, if the opportunity presents itself to bring a player of his calibre to the club, we will do our utmost to bring that about. Obviously, we need conversations with Chelsea in that regard."

As The Independent notes, 'The significance of Hughes making such an utterance cannot be overstated and is clearly designed to put pressure on Terry to ask for a transfer. City have been extremely reluctant to speculate on transfer targets in the past few weeks for fear of the same hubristic consequences which befell them when the Kaka deal fell apart in January, but Hughes, well-briefed on Terry's state of mind, has touched precisely on some of the defender's sentiments.'

However, Terry's future is believed to remain in the balance with Chelsea showing no indication that they are willing to do business. He is expected to be part of the Chelsea squad that departs for America on Thursday and, according to The Times, 'Sources say that, after meeting Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, at the weekend, his main concern is over the club's failure to sign top-class reinforcements to improve a squad that finished a distant third in the Premier League last season.'

The Guardian says that City's next move will be to 'inform Chelsea they are willing to pay in excess of £30m for Terry.'

Stewart Downing revealed his mind was made up on a move to Villa as soon as he met Martin O'Neill.

(IMG:http://www.avfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/aa/13/0,,10265~6558634,00.jpg)

Downing says the ambition of the manager was a massive pull as he completed a switch from Middlesbrough this afternoon.

He told AVTV: "I am really pleased to be joining Villa. It's a massive football club with good ambition.

"It's certainly been a summer of speculation for me but I have tried to switch off and get a good break after my injury.

"Saying that, when it became apparent that Villa were interested I was very excited. I wanted to come as soon as I met Martin O'Neill so I am delighted it's now sorted out.

"As soon as I spoke to the manager at the training ground, I wanted to play for Villa and I wanted to play for him. He has great ambition and wants to build a good squad to take the club forward. I want to be part of that.

"As an outsider looking in, it was obvious that Villa were a club on the up. You can see a chairman and manager who want to build great things. They have done that over the past few seasons, particularly by finishing sixth last time around, which was great.

"But once you get here and see the stadium, the training ground, the people behind the scenes and the manager with his ambition and hopes for the future, it's even better than you realised."

Downing also revealed his delight at stepping out at Villa Park in the coming years as a claret and blue troop.

He added: "I have fond memories of playing at Villa Park with Middlesbrough because we managed a few good results there. But I always enjoy playing there anyway.

"The atmosphere is always brilliant and Villa always put out a great team so it's always a test. I looked forward to going there and testing myself - it's fantastic that I'll now be playing for the home side."

Yay! So glad we got him, it's official! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

When will he be injury free roughly?

(IMG:http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i280/norton65ca/010413587132800.png)

Burnleys first home shirt as an EPL club. Going for the classic look, I like.

(IMG:http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i280/norton65ca/010413587132800.png)

Burnleys first home shirt as an EPL club. Going for the classic look, I like.

STEWART Downing has revealed he sought assurances from Martin O’Neill that Ashley Young would be staying at Villa before agreeing his £12 million move.

O’Neill issued a stern “hands off’’ warning to Young’s potential suitors after Downing’s arrival prompted fresh speculation that the former Watford winger would be sold.

Downing cites Young as a factor in him joining Villa for a joint club record transfer fee and the ex-Middlesbrough captain insists O’Neill’s team is big enough for the both of them.

“The first thing I asked the manager was ‘Are these players staying because I would like to play with them’ and his response was ‘No players will be leaving this football club, unless they’re maybe not playing’,” said Downing.

“But he said the likes of Ashley Young will not be leaving because he is trying to build a squad, not dismantle one.

“That was great news for me and that’s what made me sign really.

Fishdoll (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif)

I just heard that Freddie's been called up by Villa to play in the Peace Cup friendly tournament in Spain!

btw, check out the team photo on the gobbi page odf the peace cup's website. (link)

That photo is...older than Kurt, whose very favoritest UEFA president is 3d from the left in the front row. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)