Villa face a fight to keep James Milner and Ashley Young
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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits he faces a fight to keep James Milner and Ashley Young
Wanted man: James Milner
Martin O’Neill fears his top players James Milner and Ashley Young will be targets for the top four clubs this summer.
Milner and Young have been the two stand-out players during an Aston Villa campaign that has again promised much, but so far failed to deliver a tangible reward.
With England manager Fabio Capello certain to name Milner as part of his World Cup squad and contract negotiations under way, O’Neill is fully aware that the spotlight may be about to focus even more closely on his two prize assets.
Young, 24, was last season’s Young Player of the Year and has also been linked with a switch away from Villa Park.The Villa manager, who has confirmed 24-year-old Milner is due a pay rise, has little doubt that the midfielder is now close to the finished product.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised that James Milner and Ashley Young have attracted attention from the very best clubs here and abroad,’ he said.
‘I rate them that highly and they have shown maturity on the field and off it.
‘Milner’s performance against Everton was extraordinary. I’m delighted for him.
‘He’s down as one of the four young players of the year.
Star turn: Ashley Young
‘Assuming that Wayne Rooney doesn’t win both — and he deserves the main accolade — then I think that James would be deserving of the young player. He has been that brilliant.
‘Milner has been a revelation. He has stepped infield 20 yards and just been fantastic.
'He has the energy, the determination and, more importantly, he has the ability.
‘He’s in the centre of that midfield and looks like he’s played there since he was 16.’
Milner joined Villa in the summer of 2008 and is the most-capped England Under 21 player, with 46.
O’Neill is hoping that the fact he can guarantee Milner and Young first-team football at Aston Villa — rather than just a place as part of a squad — might help sway any decision about a move.
‘I think both of them would grace any side,’ added O’Neill.
‘But they might be forced into a more rotational system — and just at this minute that would be a consideration for them. Most players want to play every single week.
‘We haven’t had the luxury. I went up to watch Manchester United at Wigan and it was eye-opening looking at the Manchester United players sitting in front of me, not even on the subs’ bench.
‘I’d like them (James and Ashley) to stay here and see if we can break into that bracket.’
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Ashley seems like not that fantastic this season.
He was alot more better during the last seasons :/
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But he is still a quality winger no doubt... and can only get better as he is still rather young...
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Aston Villa need them in order to go top 4.
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Think because he was switched to right flank is it?
On the left flank he always looked more dangerous when he cut inside and attempt to shoot or cross
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Originally posted by AEW5001:
Aston Villa need them in order to go top 4.
Villa probably have the least chance of a top 4 finish in the next few years... The way I see it now is, Chelsea and City will be there among to top 4 for next season... Make no mistake about it, City are about there now and they will used this season's experienced to good effect from here on... I expect them to be a regular in the top 4 from next season onwards... United, Arsenal and Pool, one will definitely get push out from the top 4 if they don't continue to improve their squad.
So the other 2 spots left are for United, Arsenal, Spurs and Pool to fight for it... Villa are much further from them. So they should leave Villa if they plan to play very top level football...
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from my pt of view, o believe AV has a very thin squad and will need to spend on 1 or 2 gd signings..
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Villa probably have a lot lesser money than Liverpool... Only their manager isn't making a big fuss about it... I think every year they might lose their best player(s)... But they just try living within their means i guess... That could explain the smaller squad as it translate into lesser expenses as well... So Villa can only hope for a top 7 next season if Everton don't push them out of it... lol.
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Originally posted by Y_Shun:
Think because he was switched to right flank is it?
On the left flank he always looked more dangerous when he cut inside and attempt to shoot or cross
i always felt young play better on the left flank but he is a one trick pony, always fake going back against goal then quickly cut back towards goal....strangely less effective on the right flank...
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I think MON should try more squad rotation at times to rest players.
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I dont know what is it with English players nowadays, but since Beckham, none of the wanabes seems to be able to put in a decent cross.
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Villa should buy Ireland.
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Villa where got money to buy the country ?
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Stephen Ireland lah. simi country.
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hahaha
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milner is versatile, should buy him. he can play at both wings and midfield too.
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I hope United do manage to get James Milner for next season... $20m also should be ok i feel as he is still very young.
And on the Ireland thing, hahaha... very funny...
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Milner is 1 of the most versatile English players around right now. I would rate him higher than Ashley Young. If Young leaves, Milner can go back to right wing, Downing on the left, Petrov & Reo-Coker in the centre. That would be the best midfield combination for Aston Villa.
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Midfield of Reo-Coker? I not sure...
I am starting to doubt the abilities of Steve Sidwell/Reo-Coker since they do not even get a start under MON....
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the best is for villa to buy a new playmaker in the midfield...that's what we really lack...haven't had that kind of player in villa since solano left...