Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Wednesday August 13 2008
Time: 9:56AM
UK time is: 04:57:30
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James Milner Back To Villa Park?
Very little press talk today, only one of interest that I can see is The Daily Mail claiming that Villa are going to return with a new bid for Newcastle winger James Milner.
Must admit I'd like Milner back, he is young, aggressive and fit in immediately when he came on loan under David O'Dearme a few seasons back.
Kevin Keegan has repeatedly said the midfielder is in his plans but that hasn't stopped constant links to Villa move. This time they claim Villa are going to bid £6million. With Mike Ashley in charge, who knows, he might want to re-coup some of the money he threw at Newcastle to buy them. That might put a huge strain on relations with his manager though as it appears his return to the Toon might not have had the sort of financial backing he was promised. Can you believe that Ashley bought the Toon without any due diligence at all?
I digress!
The paper claims that Milner might look for a move because he spent a lot of time out of the team last season once Keegan took the helm and they have brought in Argentina international Jonas Gutierez this summer who looks likely to take the wide right position that Milner favours.
What do you think, would you like to see Milner - who so nearly signed errantly season before last before Freddie Shepherd changed his mind and called the player back (he was on his way to Villa for talks) back in the mighty claret and blue?
Personally I think it would be a great move, another piece of the jig-saw, then bring in a top striker and Villa could do some major damage this coming season!
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Your Comments
Yes, would like to see him back. Useful addition to the squad with more than a bit of potential!
AVGD
I think this would be a excellent move, routledge is playing well pre-season, he and Milner would be good competition for each other.
johnmurphy3112
Yep, a good signing ... competition will keep people on their toes and playing for their places.
Silver Fox
I've been backing Milner to be the one to fill our RW vacancy for a good while now - wanted to see him back in C & B since he left, I was well gutted when I heard Newcastle pulled the plug at the very last minute when we were poised to sign him. I'd be astounded if we got him for £6m though, can't see Keegan letting him go for much under £10m from what he's said previously. £6m would be a bargain in my eyes.
Mayo_12
Nice squad player addition nothing more nothing less, wouldn't be too bothered if we didn't get him.
villain76
Can we stop the O'leary bashing please, its not a good bunch of lads. Id like to see Milner here, we would then have 4 good wingers and four good central midfielders (assuming Barry stays)
DO'L
James Milner will be a top signing, he was our best player barring Barry in DOLs final season, imagine how it would be under MON!!!!! *drools a little
young_jonah
James Milner will be a top signing, he was our best player barring Barry in DOLs final season, imagine how he would be under MON!!!!! *drools a little
young_jonah
Not a huge fan, but better than SWP, as I think he is well overrated. IMO
BKKVILLA
Milner would be second choice behind SWP for me. I liked Milner and he was Mr Consistency, but never did really excite. SWP to be fair can be more hit and miss, but he just has that extra spark. Saying that, if it is to be Milner then I'll be pretty happy with that signing. Also, what's wrong with the O'Dreary bashing, DO'L!!! :-)
Rawlie
Yes sign him up he was always my first choice for the RW spot.I like his attitude and he has everything we need.I disagree with some who reckon he would only be a squad player hes much better than that.
happyvillan
He Would thrive at our club,Newcastle are holding him back big time.
lerneravfc
He certainly fits the bill as young, English and ambitious.
If he can more consitantly beat the first man with his crosses he'll be a fine addition to the camp.
keithlees1978
Yup, would welcome him back...he provided us with assists-a-plenty in the season he was with us.
olafthegreat
He was outstanding for us during his loan spell - would love to see him here permanently. On the occasions he played last season he still frightened the life out of most left-backs.
Athens Villa
he would be a good addition we need a right winger , playmaker midfielder and top class striker and we will seriously be in biseness
Runtingz
I can't help thinking that the guys we're signing are good Prem players, but not the 'next level' which are going to make us top 4 challengers... Milner's a really good player, but same thing applies.. rather have Downing, Lennon or swp.
SchoolBoyError
MON is working on the principal that he can turn good player into great players, look what he has done for Young, Barry, Carew etc, its the same principal the late great cloughie used, he signed players that everyone else thought was passed their best and made them great again, I have full trust in MON and believe that he will deliver this season.
capitalvilla
The level we are at now is 6th challenging for 5th the next level is 5th challenging the top 4 the players we have added to the squad will take us to that next level,Then we can push on from there,The 5 year plan for champions league football is bang on track.
lerneravfc
always wanted milner at villa park, would be a very useful addition.
sportyvillain
I agree with what lerneravfc said above, that Newcastle are holding him back. I'd expect Milner would want to come back to us - he enjoyed the time he had here, he was already ready to come back to us at one point anyway, and I imagine he'd realise that his England prospects would be greatly improved playing in this team under MON's tutelage.
Mayo_12
More Daily Mail rubbish. Keegan will not let Milner go. Let's talk about something realistic eh?
villacross
I reckon he'll cost a lot more than 6 million, but I'd like to see him back at VP, he'd be a good addition -he's a solid, hard-working and selfless winger with potential to get better under MON.
romanianvillain
Good player, lively. Did well during his loan. Would be happy with this.
TMorley
He would get my vote as a good signing
DoLpHiNaToR
...rather have Downing, Lennon or swp....:SchoolBoyError: no offence nut Lennonis awful, just speed and a jink, no real pitch positioning or runs off the ball...don't like him or his stupid "I'm a gangsta " eyebrows - he'sanother Pennant which is gaelic for Penis! There's nothing to choose between Milner, SWP and Downing though. I do question SWPs motives at Chelsea, half a match here and the in the CL will not see him remembered as a footballer and nor will raking in the millions at Chelsea while shining his arse. I don't believe his ethic will stand true at Villa. Milner and Downing however have brilliant work ethics and are hungry for success and they aren't going to get it at their spendthrift clubs. Either will do for me.
koolbill
Milner would be a great signing. I have always liked him, my brother (newcastle supporter) thinks he's the best player they've had for the last 2 years. IMO he's consistenly better than bentley at half the price and without the stupid wages and arrogance. Two great feet, versatile, superb skill and delivery and he's english and young who knows a lot of players at villa from his loan spell and for the england U21 team. Go get him O'Neill!!
GDAD22
he was the best player when DOL was incharge, by a mile!
Gruck
I think Milner and Smith will complete our summer spending. Both English youngsters with a point to prove...MON's dream! Just can see us spending big on a striker, so I believe he will go on a stop gap for a season and go again next summer.
In MON we trust!
Smith won't be here mate, no chance.
koolbill
We'll see, we'll see.
In MON we trust!
Milner yes, Smith...I'll shoot myself! Milner is good-MON could make him great, get him. Agree with koolbill-Downing would also be an excellent buy if we could get him (not totally out of the question. Its widely known that O'Neill has a project here, an attractive project that hungry boys like Downing want to be a part of).
gwyllum18
Milner has never impressed me really. I've got a mate who's a toon fan and swears he's the cats meow but for me - I wouldn't be too bothered either way. I rather a top name but this is MON's player I bet.
los_angeles_villan
In MON we trust! I think the opposite I think MON will bring in Milner and then splash the cash on a big name striker, although we've bought 7 players he hasn't spent that much money really especially if Barry goes that'll be £18 mill recouped. would love to see RSC at VP.
johnmurphy3112
Smith doesn't give us anymore than Marlene and Marlene has a better scoring record and is way harder - I bet he'd win in a celebrity deathmatch. Milner or Downing and RSC or a mystery striker to come me thinks....
koolbill
Milner would be the perfect signing to play out wide right. He'd complement our team perfectly, add options both going forward, and he's ready and willing to track back. It would be a tremendous piece of business if MON could manage to bring him to Villa Park.
glensider
Cant see Keegan allowing him to leave for the 6m figure that has been widely quoted. Would imagine we could expect to pay closer to 10m. Whatever, he'd be well worth it.
glensider
Hear hear!
koolbill
Would prefer Pedersen really...
NorthcliffeBandit
I've said for ages that there are many quality wingers in the EPL, those including Pedersen and M Petrov and that guy from Wigan Antonio Valencia. Any of those would be welcome. Tossing in a creative central midfielder like Elano or a young lad like Man Citys Johnson. Lots of choices and all surely buyable by Villa?
koolbill
LADS LETS BE FRANK.. MILNER IS PANTS! I'M SORRY TO SA. LETS IDENTIFY THE CRITERIA OF A GOOD WINGER..... WINGERS MUST HAVE A TRICK IN THE LOCKER TO BEAT A MAN. HIS DELIVERY AINT BAD, BUT NOTHING SPECIAL! YES HE WORKS HARD, BUT SO DO A LOT OF YOUNG ENGLISH PLAYERS? IN MY BOOK MILNER IS ONE OF THE PLAYERS THAT CAPELLO IS TALKING ABOUT WHEN HE SAYS HE DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH TALENT TO CHOOSE FROM.. NOW THAT ROUTLEDGE SEEMS TO HAVE HIS MOJO BACK, HE'S GOTTA PLAY! MILNER HAS NOTHING ON A FLYING ROUTLEDGE ON CONFIDENCE. ROUTLEDGE CAN BE A MIRROR OF ASHLEY YOUNG ON THE RIGHT WING... AND LETS NOT EVEN GO THERE BY COMPARING MILNER AND ASHLEY YOUNG?? FOR ME, GIVE ROUTLEDGE A CHANCE BECAUSE HE LOOKS HUNGRY IN PRE-SEASON. I RECKON THE KID IS GONNA TAKE OFF!!
notaspur
Dont shout notaspur!!! Caps lock off - PLEASE!!!!!!
glensider
Dont think that anyone would dispute that Wayne has looked impressive pre-season, but despite his undoubted ability, he still has flaws that need working on, particularly that final telling ball. There's no end product to him. Dont know how much you've actually seen of him, but while I'll agree he has potential, sooner or later he has to produce, force his way into the starting line-up, and cement his place in the team. Is he good enough to do that? As of right now, maybe not. I certainly have reservations.
glensider
I agree - Milner is a decent addition. I have to say though, I'd also like MON to look on the left-side too, as I'm convinced Ashley Young could operate as well on the right as well as he did on the left last season. Some links with Martin Petrov, MG Pederson & Downing would be more exciting than links with Milner for me. I'd have him for 6m though!
SilkyVillan
I think he would be a great signing, cant understand why others think he is merely a "squad" player. If he comes back he will be a regular! Who pays 6M for a squad player? Not MON thats for sure!
villa_de
Glensider, I do actually think Routledge's final ball is better then maybe you give credit for... NO End product?? He's been laying them on in pre-season, certianly in the footage I've seen & everyone has been saying it! He's been playing well, and considering we have no other natural wingers he should defo have a chance no doubt.. What more can he do.. he's laying on chances for front lads, grabbing goals himself in pre-season... and I certainly think he has the bit between his teeth. If he gets a chance at the start of the season and doesn't produce, then we can say he's had a go and not up to the task. How can he "force" his way into the squad if MON wont chuck him in where it counts? I just think the boy can only grow from being given a starting role at the start of the year... Far better potentially then Milner.. by a mile
notaspur
Totally disagree notaspur, give me James Milner any day of the week. As for Routledge and the final ball, that is his failing. I saw him several times in the reserves last season, and in first team pre-season action this time around, and that is where he lets himself down. Lot of ability, can beat a man, then it all goes to waste.
glensider
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