Villa boss Martin O’Neill has admitted England star James Milner wants to leave.

The manager has confirmed the Manchester City target can go, as long as the Eastlands club meet Villa’s £30million asking price.

City have been chasing the midfielder all summer and Villa have already turned down their opening £20million bid in May.

But O’Neill, in Ireland ahead of the game with Bohemians on Saturday, has revealed the 24-year-old has expressed a desire to move on.

He said: “I had a conversation with him before the World Cup and he intimated that he would like to go. I’d imagine things will be resolved in the foreseeable future.

“City made an offer but it did not meet our valuation. If they do then James will go.”

Milner has not handed in an official transfer request and the club do not expect one but the ball is now firmly in City’s court, who are now expected to up their offer.

His future has been in doubt since the end of the season as he left for the World Cup with the club prepared to extend his current deal, which has two years left to run.

But City have made no secret of their desire to sign the former Leeds star and his head looks to have been turned.

Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini has already spent £59million this summer and the capture of Milner would take his outlay over £100million, should he sign Lazio’s Aleksandar Kolarov for £16million as expected.

A player-plus-cash deal has also been rumoured, with City midfielder Stephen Ireland linked as a makeweight in any deal.

Milner, Villa’s joint record signing after a £12million move from Newcastle in 2008, has made 128 appearances and won the PFA’s Young Player of the Year last season.

He excelled in a central role after O’Neill moved him to compensate for the £12million loss of Gareth Barry – also to megabucks City.

They eventually broke Villa’s resolve for Barry last summer and City’s Dubai-based owners are unlikely to stop until they have signed Milner.

Villa have been linked with ex-Wolves ace Robbie Keane, Aiden McGeady, Scott Parker and Mathieu Flamini.

Tottenham striker Keane is believed to be keen on a move to Villa Park and Celtic chief Neil Lennon expects McGeady to leave Scotland.

But West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has dashed any hopes Villa had of signing Parker.