High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Stewart Downing (born 22 July 1984) is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa in the English Premier League, having joined from Middlesbrough in July 2009. He often also features in the England team. Downing grew up in Middlesbrough's Pallister estate and supported the club since his school days. He was considered one of the most promising graduates of the Middlesbrough Academy. His debut came on 24 April 2002 in a Premier League game away at Ipswich Town. He was limited to just three appearances during that season, plus a further three the following season despite scoring his first senior goal in a 4 1 League Cup victory over Brentford.