Villa are braced for a bidding war for James Milner after “firmly rejecting” Manchester City’s opening offer of £20million for the England star.

City’s bid is likely to spark a bidding war for the newly-crowned PFA Young Player of the Year, with Chelsea and Manchester United also interested.

But the claret and blues are adamant they have no interest in selling Milner, who has two years to run on his existing contract, and reiterated their intention to sit down with the 24-year-old after the World Cup to discuss a new long-term deal.

A club statement read: “We received an offer from Manchester City for James Milner and this has been firmly rejected.

“We plan to sit down with James Milner and his representative after the World Cup to agree a new long-term deal.

“This remains our position.”

Confirmation of an offer from Eastlands for Milner, who is currently at England’s World Cup training camp in Austria, arrived late last night but it was immediately rejected by Villa.

But as City, the world’s richest club, demonstrated in their pursuit of ex-Wolves man Joleon Lescott last summer, Villa’s resistance is unlikely to deter them.

Such an early move in the transfer window is thought to have been triggered by England coach Fabio Capello’s call for players to refrain from discussing transfers during the competition, while there is also the possibility of Milner’s value increasing further with a successful World Cup.

Yet despite talking about a “sell-to-buy” policy this summer, Milner is still seen as an instrumental part of Villa’s plans by owner Randy Lerner.

He said last week: “I’m not worried about losing James Milner. I think James will play for Aston Villa and should play for Aston Villa.”

That stance was echoed by manager Martin O’Neill last month, but the Villa boss admitted interest would be inevitable.

He said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if James attracted attention from the very best football clubs in the land and possibly one or two in Europe too.

“I’d prefer to see him stay here and see if we can finally break into the top four.”

Milner looks a certainty to go to South Africa after starring in central midfield for Villa last season, ironically as Gareth Barry’s replacement after his move to City last summer.

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