Downing feared he would have to wait until January to obtain a summer move from relegated Middlesbrough after suffering a foot injury at the end of last season - coincidentally against Villa.

He was concerned that playing in the Championship would affect his hopes of making Fabio Capello's 2010 World Cup squad.

But O'Neill opted to pay £12million this summer for his services even though he was aware Downing would face several months on the sidelines.

Downing said: "Once I heard in the summer that the manager was after me, I wanted to go.

"I thought I might have to wait until January which would have been frustrating because it's a World Cup year.

"I was thinking 'will Mr Capello pick me if I'm playing in the Championship?' The chances are probably 'no' so I do owe Martin O'Neill a lot and I can't wait to get fit."

Downing, 25, added: "The injury is a bit of a strange one. It's not a break but there's a fracture there. I've had to have it pinned and that should come out in September.

"Then it's a case of building it up. The target is early December. If I'm ready before then that's a bonus. If it's after, then it just needs time to heal.

"But I'm sure I will play before Christmas. The manager wants me 100% right and is prepared to give me extra time to do it."

In contrast, Villa left-back Wilfred Bouma's injury nightmare could soon be over with O'Neill hopeful the Dutchman can return to action next month.

Bouma missed the entire 2008-09 domestic campaign after suffering a dislocated ankle during the Intertoto Cup clash with Odense at Villa Park on July 26 last year.

He attempted to make a comeback in March and played in three reserve games only to be forced to undergo a second operation to remove floating bone from the ankle.

But Bouma has been included in the Villa squad for the Peace Cup in Spain and O'Neill is hopeful a return to action will come sooner rather than later.

He said: "Freddy is back training. He is pretty happy with proceedings and it's just taking a bit more time. He had that setback but seems to have recovered from that.

"I reckon he might be back some time in August, but please don't hold me to that."