Boro chairman Steve Gibson promised Downing he could leave if a big club came in for him this summer, and the Teessiders' relegation at the end of the last campaign simply opened the door wider despite his injury problems.
Many believe Spurs was Downing's number one choice, but the offer didn't arrive this summer when Gibson said he wanted the money NOW ... not when the player was back in the side.
Downing: "As soon as I spoke to the manager at the training ground, I wanted to play for Villa and I wanted to play for him.
"He has great ambition and wants to build a good squad to take the club forward. I want to be part of that."