Downing to join Reds may see Joe Cole join Aston Villa . . . Posted on 7/15/11 by Admin in Talks between Aston Villa and Liverpool over the transfer of Stewart Downing also included preliminary discussions regarding the future of fellow England midfielder Joe Cole, it is being suggested. Cole's Liverpool future looks particularly bleak following the news that Downing will move to Anfield in a deal said to be worth up to £20million. And this comes hot on the heels of Kenny Dalglish shelling a reported £30m on the combined midfield talents of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam. The news of another arrival in his position leaves Cole in limbo, paving the way for Villa and the Reds to include the England international playmaker in their thoughts. n confirming a deal to take Downing up the M6 Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner - who admitted the player had handed in a transfer request - confirmed the club are already lining up alternatives. 'We believe there are replacem ...