Villa are only one point above the bottom three in the Barclays Premier League after the 1-0 home reversal against Wolves on Saturday.
Supporters called for manager Gerard Houllier to be sacked at the end of a week which saw James Collins and Richard Dunne fined for their behaviour during a team bonding session at a health spa.
But Downing, Ashley Young, Darren Bent and Kyle Walker will put those problems to one side as they look to help England overcome Wales in Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier in Cardiff, when the quartet will be looking to get the better of club mate Collins.
Downing said: "It does help to have a break from the relegation worries. You are part of a different environment with a different kind of pressure.
"If you do well, it can help bring confidence for when you go back to the club. We can regroup at Villa and get some players back from injury and suspension so it (the break) has probably come at a good time. Then we can get focused and go again because we missed some of those players not involved against Wolves."
Source: PA
Source: PA