Doug Ellis today backed Villa star James Milner to once again do “club and country proud” – as he predicted an England victory against Germany tomorrow.

Milner looks certain to play in the last-16 clash, which is a repeat of the 1966 final, after marking his return to the team by setting up Jermain Defoe’s winner against Slovenia which ensured England’s passage.

And former Villa chairman Ellis, now life president of the club, expects him to be on the winning side again in Bloemfontein.

“He is such a good lad,” said the 86-year-old, who was speaking at the official opening of the Doug Ellis Sports Centre at Birmingham City University’s Perry Bar campus.

“He was my man of the man of the match on Wednesday. He’s a brilliant talent and is getting everything he deserves. He has done club and country proud and will do so again.

“It’s going to be one hell of a game and I think we’ll beat Germany. We’ll have too much. I don’t think you can compare these teams with those from 1966 because it’s a different time but I’ve got my fingers crossed for the same outcome!”

Meanwhile, Milner is keen to “set the record straight” after being part of the Under-21 side defeated 4-0 by Germany in the European Championship final in Sweden a year ago.

Six of that German side are in the current senior squad, including playmaker Mesut Ozil, who has been one of the tournament’s stars so far.

He said: “It’s the biggest game of my career. You are very lucky to be playing in a World Cup for your country.

“Each game is the biggest game. Now it’s the knockout stages and Germany is a massive game at whatever level.

“We played Germany in the European Under-21 Championships and were unlucky in the final. Things didn’t quite go for us, and we didn’t perform as well as we could.

“It will be a tough game but, for those of us involved last year, it would be good to get one back on them and set the record straight.”
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