Downing joined Villa from Middlesbrough last summer.
Downing missed the first half of the season with a broken foot, but has impressed in the new year.
“Stewart has come into the side and he has done terrific for us,” said Young.
“He was out for so long through injury and different players take different times to settle into a team.
“But Stewart is a top-class player who has settled in here straight away, and the way he has played means it hasn’t looked like he had been out for that long.
“He has been brilliant since he came into the team and he was brilliant against Burnley.
“Goals always boost your confidence but he is a confident player anyway. You see him in training and see him in games so far and he has done some great things.”
