Skysports.com understands Liverpool have made an approach to sign Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing.

Villa could cash in on winger to help fund bid for Bent

understands Liverpool have made an approach to sign Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing. The England international has impressed for Villa this season and has been an ever-present for the club in the Premier League. He is Villa's top scorer with five goals in the league and is understood to have been the subject of an enquiry from Sunderland last week. The 26-year-old is now being targeted by Liverpool as new manager Kenny Dalglish seeks to inject some fresh blood into his squad. Downing cost Villa £12million from Middlesbrough 18 months ago and he has made 64 appearances after injury delayed the start of his career in the Midlands. Villa boss Gerard Houllier revealed last month that he was confident that he would be able to retain the services of Downing during the January transfer window. However, Villa's pursuit of Sunderland striker Darren Bent could prompt the club to consider letting Downing move on. An offer of £18million is reported to have been made for Bent and cashing in on Downing would provide some of the funds to bring in his fellow England international.