[30stone]

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.”

[30stone]

Carew goal saves villa.

2 - 2

[30stone]

Villa get a draw 2 - 2 full time.

[King Gizzard]

[bbfan1991]

Manchester City will offer £20million plus a choice of players to lure James Milner from Aston Villa.

City boss Roberto Mancini is so desperate to tie up the England midfielder that he is preparing to go all out in negotiations.

He will leave the £20million Villa have already refused on the table but will also let Martin O’Neill take his pick of one of four players.

England internationals Micah Richards and Shaun Wright Phillips, under-21 star Nedum Onuoha and Stephen Ireland will be offered on top of the cash to tempt O’Neill to give up the fight for his prized player.

However O’Neill is determined to do everything he can to repel City’s advances and is desperate not to lose his Milner to City.

Villa chiefs will meet Milner before the World Cup in a desperate bid to keep him.

Milner is tempted by a possible switch to Eastlands where he could expect to double his £45,000-a-week wages.

But Villa haven’t given up on keeping Milner on a new lucrative contract.

And chief executive Paul Faulkner has agreed to hold talks with Milner and his PFA representatives before the star jets to South Africa on June 2.

Villa owner Randy Lerner and boss Martin O’Neill may attend the talks if they are in the country on either May 31 or June 1 when Milner is free before flying out on international duty.

He is not likely to agree or sign a new Villa contract before the World Cup but Villa hope a verbal agreement could be followed by formal signing when he returns from South Africa.

[Mystic Mock]

boooooooooooooooooo birmingham city kick villas as any day of the week.

but birmingham city rule in my opinion.

[King Gizzard]

Fellow Villa fans (which is none) we are in for a very tough season..

[bbfan1991]

Aston Villa have held talks with England international James Milner after he returned to the club on Monday for training.

The 24-year-old has been tipped to join Manchester City this summer with the ambitious club keen to land to talented midfielder.

Milner had been given an extended period off by Villa this summer after participating in the World Cup finals in South Africa.

The ex-Newcastle and Leeds man is believed to want a move to City, but until they match Villa's asking price he will stay at the club.

Villa have now held amicable talks with Milner and confirmed he will travel with them ahead of this weekend's Guadiana Cup.

Talks
"James Milner trained with the rest of the Villa squad (Monday) at Bodymoor Heath," read a Villa statement.

"He and the manager along with the chief executive Paul Faulkner and the player's representative Matthew Buck had an amicable conversation.

"While James will not play in (Tuesday's game) against Walsall he will fly with the squad to Portugal on Wednesday ahead of the Guadiana Cup, in which Villa will compete with Benfica and Feyenoord this weekend."

[bbfan1991]

Bump.. so it looks like Milner is going, Marc Albrighton is doing well and is ready for the first team so is Ciaran Clark.

Now both clubs need to get the deal sorted plus Ireland and then MON can get looking for new players quickly.

[King Gizzard]

Spoiler:

you secretly love villa and hate wba/man u

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nate

Spoiler:

you secretly love villa and hate wba/man u

I'm just nosey, plus my local paper is always full of Villa gossip so it's impossible to avoid.

I like that Weimann guy the Austrian striker, impressive on FIFA too.

[King Gizzard]

McGeady is off to Spartak..kind of glad we didn't go for him.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nate

McGeady is off to Spartak..kind of glad we didn't go for him.

Thats a shame, who else are Villa linked with?.

[King Gizzard]

Ireland and Keane basically

Don't think we will sign anyone else, Randy has shut his wallet on investing anymore, we are a sell to buy club now (Rightly so, we've wasted so much money on players like Harewood, Shorey, Reo-coker, Davies)

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nate

Ireland and Keane basically

Don't think we will sign anyone else, Randy has shut his wallet on investing anymore, we are a sell to buy club now (Rightly so, we've wasted so much money on players like Harewood, Shorey, Reo-coker, Davies)

Basically this season could be a disaster.

[King Gizzard]

Houllier finally appointed manager.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nate

Houllier finally appointed manager.

Seems like opinion is split which isn't a surprise.

[King Gizzard]

Give the guy a chance, some fans are disgraceful.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nate

Give the guy a chance, some fans are disgraceful.

I agree, however in football there is no patience, hope Kevin McDonald is allowed to stay in some capacity like a familiar face on the coaching staff who really knows the club and can help get more out of the players.

[bbfan1991]

Ermm bump for Nate.

Who's going to be the next Villa manager?

[King Gizzard]

I think we should recruit some members who don't have a team to support Villa.

[King Gizzard]

and David Moyes.

[bbfan1991]

Originally Posted by Nate

I think we should recruit some members who don't have a team to support Villa.

I'm in.

Good call, however as i've said I personally don't think he'll leave Everton but footie is fickle and loyalty don't matter anymore. Best not believing things till there is proof.

Is there even any transfer news regarding possible arrivals away from the mangerial issue?

[bbfan1991]

And oh God top of the page about Milner, seems a while since he left.

[King Gizzard]

He wouldn't really be being disloyal to everton, he's been there 9 years and IMO took them as far as he can. He will had cash here. We've already gotten rid of alot of wages. As for who is coming in, probably Ben foster.. Lives near the training ground and too good for the championship