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Villa are poised to reward midfield star James Milner with a money-spinning new contract worth an estimated £12m.

The midfield star looks set to land a new four-year deal before jetting to the World Cup with England.

And reports this morning claimed the 24-year-old weekly pay packet could grow from £45,000 per week at present to around £65,000, putting him on a par with the club’s highest earners.

Boss Martin O’Neill said: “I said to James that regardless of the England situation, we would sit down in the summer.

“He has two years left, but it would be important that we do something if we can. He has been absolutely fantastic.

“Without doubt he’s enjoying his football. Some of his performances have been electrifying. Now he’s reached double figures from midfield which is great.

“Since he has moved into the centre, it has thrust him to the forefront and he has excelled.

“I have phenomenal regard for Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, but James is playing as well as anybody right now.”

Meanwhile, O’Neill has warned forgotten man Curtis Davies he will have to bide his time and wait for an opportunity.

The defender has made just one appearance – as a second-half substitute against Brighton – since his return from a shoulder injury in January and has failed to make the bench for Villa’s last four games.

Boss Martin O’Neill admits the form of Richard Dunne and James Collins at the heart of the defence has made Davies’ job of forcing his way back in even harder.

And he says the 25-year-old former Albion skipper must stay patient – and seize his chance when it comes along.

“Curtis has been out of action now really since the end of August,” said O’Neill. “He’s played a couple of reserve games.

“When you consider here how well Luke (Young) has done for us and how unfortunate he is not to be in the team that might tell you something. I don’t think Curtis will be an issue when we get him fully fit, it’s a matter of him getting that opportunity. When you get it you have to grasp it.”