Aston Villa are close to signing Stewart Downing as well as Tuncay Sanli from Middlesbrough.

According to The Mirror and The Guardian, Villa manager Martin O'Neill has offered £18 million for the pair.

England winger Downing has also been linked with moves to Tottenham and Liverpool but Villa are prepared to make a firm bid for the player.

Middlesbrough will be hard pressed to hold on to Downing after relegation from the top-flight.

As for Villa, the winger will be another investment into English talent.

But O'Neill will be taking a chance on an injury-prone player. Downing is currently recovering from surgery on a foot injury which could see him miss the start of next season.

Following a visit to a specialist he has been given clearance to start gym work and is due to have a pin, which was inserted in the fracture, removed in September.

Villa might have to raise their bids as Middlesbrough have slapped a price tag of £12m on Downing and £8m on Tuncay.