James Milner set for showdown with Villa boss O’Neill
Saturday 24th July 2010, 12:44PM BST.
James Milner was today set for showdown talks with Villa boss Martin O’Neill over his transfer row.
The 24-year-old reports back for training on Monday after his post-World Cup break, but is said to be furious O’Neill went public over his desire to quit for Manchester City.
Milner disputes O’Neill’s version of events from the meeting held before the World Cup – where the Villa chief says the midfielder confirmed he wanted to quit.
He will seek talks with O’Neill on Monday after reportedly failing to speak to his boss since the manager’s revelation on Thursday. A new £24m bid from City is imminent after Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini reaffirmed his determination to sign him.
“Milner is a good player,” said the Italian, who had a £20m bid rejected in May. “Today he is an Aston Villa player but if we had the chance to sign him I think we should.”
But Milner is likely to be spared any fans’ backlash at Walsall on Tuesday. He hasn’t trained since the World Cup and O’Neill seems set to leave him out of the squad. Villa fans are angry the England ace wants to quit and were primed to vent their feelings.
The pre-season fixture at the Banks’s Stadium brings back memories of when Gareth Barry was abused by fans on his return to action after revealing his desire to move to Liverpool in 2008.
Villa’s transfer budget hinges on whether Milner leaves and chairman Randy Lerner’s right-hand man has told fans the club must pay its way in the harsh economic climate.
General Charles Krulak says Villa must sell high-earning players who are not being used.
He said: “‘Sell to buy’ is too easy a sentence to say. In reality, it encompasses many things. At the end of the day, football is a business and needs to make sense.
“The first issue on the revenue v. expenditure scale is wages – wages for the staff and wages for the players. Simply put, if we don’t look at those players who are drawing wages but not playing, we are making a mistake.”
n Ashley Young was today reported to be a target for Tottenham.
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if milner wanted to stay then when on england duty live on a press conference why didnt he just say i am happy at villa and will stay and if he wants to leave he should just say that,you dont say no comment,the fans pay the wages and have the right to know especially after naming him player of the season,as i have said before yes milner has always been a good player but martin oneill turned him into the player he is now,as he did with barry,where were man city etc when oneill paid 12 million,not interested is the answer,martin will produce another gem and hopefully they will show some loyalty so that aston villa can continue the excellent progress we have made since martin came,top manager and glad he is ours,keep up the good work martin and roll on august 14th.
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I think that MO’N should let Milner go and get 20 million plus Ireland.I wouldn’t be surprised that Ashley Young went aswell. I was at the match in Ireland on Saturday and Ash Young was the only senior player not to acknoweledge the kids waiting for autographs and pictures.Everyone other player in the squad couldn’t give enough of there time.He just got on the bus and ignored everyone.BAD FORM Ashley! He obviously wants to go aswell,let him go MO’N if the price is right.He done nothing for us last season and he didn’t do much on Saturday.I must say Marc Albrighton had a brilliant game.Well done Marc!
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