Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing has called on the club's owners to make money available in January so that manager Gerard Houllier can sign a new striker.

The England international is concerned by the growing injury worries at Villa Park now that senior forwards John Carew and Emile Heskey are out of action.

With Gabriel Agbonlahor just back from injury himself and youngster Nathan Delfouneso their only other option, Downing believes action must be taken if Villa are to succeed in the Premier League this term.

"We've got one (experienced) striker at the moment in Gabby and he has just come back from injury," he said.

"It would be unfair to put a lot of pressure on young Nathan to manage right through the season. If you look at things, as they are at the moment, I would say we probably do need a striker.

"But we probably need four or five players, not just a striker."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email