Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Heard fears Villa could sell Milner
Wednesday 19th May 2010, 12:55PM BST.
Pat Heard believes Villa should consider selling prized asset James Milner if the likes of Manchester City come in with an offer they can’t refuse.
Milner, currently part of the England squad preparing for the World Cup, is one of City’s top transfer targets and a £24million bid for the PFA Young Player of the Year is believed to be imminent.
And Heard, one of Villa’s 1982 European Cup heroes, warns that although Villa would be reluctant to sell one of their crown jewels, saying no to the world’s richest club will be difficult.
But the 50-year-old insists a big-money sale would not necessarily be bad news for the club, because it could allow them to buy as many as three quality international stars.
He said: “It’s a lot of money for one player and the manager has got to consider accepting it. Every player in the world has a price on his head.
“Just look at Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid last summer. There’s not a lot you can do when a club as wealthy as Manchester City come knocking. It will be difficult for a club like Villa to keep him.
“James has had a brilliant season and I’m sure they’d be reluctant to see him go. A club as big as Villa obviously doesn’t want to become a selling club.
“I don’t know what funds they have this summer but if Villa can get three quality international players for the price of one then that makes sense.
“It’s ridiculous money, but I can’t see how an offer that size would not be considered.”
Milner cost Villa a club record £12million two years ago and has one year to go on his existing deal, which boss Martin O’Neill has indicated the club hope to extend after the World Cup.
Heard believes the chance to at least double their money could be a good move in the long term – but only if the manager receives all the funds.
He added: “That’s the big stumbling block. If the manager gets it all it could be a good deal.
“But if the chairman keeps some I’m sure the manager would rather have the player.”
Sponsored Links
UK Sport
Latest Blog — Microsoft Comes to the University of Wolverhampton
Last week Microsoft visited the University of Wolverhampton to give students the chance to develop their own phone apps that could be published on the Windows Phone Marketplace.
Technology blog
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Two points to make here.
1.Pat Heard is hardly what I would call “one of Villa’s 1982 European Cup heroes”! He was a largely unused substitute throughout the 1981/82 campaign and was jettisoned a year after. Therefore his opinion hardly warrants this full blown coverage when far better and more relevant comments are made by posters on here on a daily basis!
2.Exactly what is “an offer they can’t refuse”? 10 years ago, player valuations were down to things like contracts, performance, age, club, international career etc. Nowadays, it’s all about who’s got the money and how tough are the selling club willing to play it! This figure of £24 million being banded about is absolute garbage. Take Gareth Barry at Villa for instance. First choice England international, 28 year old, 12 months to run on his contract and captain of his club! What happens? A bid of £12 million comes in and is accepted on the spot. Consider this! If O’Neill had been strong enough, and played hard ball with Citeh, couldn’t Villa have got TWICE that figure seeing as Citeh paid £24 million for Lescott!!! Then compare Barry with Milner now. 24 year old, established international, 3 years to run on his contract, 1st name on the team sheet, 3rd top goalscorer at the club, 8 years first team experience and top of most of the Activa statistical charts. If little Stevie Gerrard is worth £50 million to Chelsea, why shouldn’t Villa be asking for at least that figure from Citeh? UTV
Report abuse
Its not going to happen so theres no point worrying about it really. Martyn O Niell will not sell milner. He wont even concider 24 million.
Villa have progressed the last 4 seasons and O niell will want to keep doing that and he knows he wont buy selling his best players.
The only people who will be leaving are fringe players. Players such as Hearwood n beye etc
Report abuse
Sell Marty, sell- You are too good at developing young talent. It all amounts to good business.
Report abuse
If a offer of say £30 million comes in we’d be stupid to not sell him ,given that we need to spend to buy !
Report abuse
I agree with PsychoVilla The learned Pat Heard is no authority on Aston Villa –
He played 20 times in 4 Seasons between 1979 -1983. The last club he played for was Hull… and we all know what happened to them this season.
No matter how much money you get – you cannot replace talent – he will get better and better. What did Man Utd do when they sold Messer Ronaldo for £70. They lost the Title.
End of Chat
Report abuse
MO’N should keep Milner make him one of our top players,he is a future Captain! Cash in on Ashley Young and Agbonlahor and Heskey along with the others,but I would keep Luke Young.Why is it we cannot keep the best players like Liverpool and Man U?
Report abuse
Personally if we could do a deal that included Villa getting Micah Richards, Nedoum Onouha and Craig Bellamy/Stephen Ireland or Michael Johnson I would consider it. Jimmy has been great this season, and may be at his peak resale value so it should be considered. Would rather buy Richards, Onouha maybe Bellamy and keep Jimmy but if we are restricted financially then this may be the way to do it?
Report abuse