O'Neill Throws Milner Under A Bus
Posted by Wallace Poulter 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
Welcome to Manchester City, James Milner. No deal has been agreed, but that's the only reasonable expected outcome after Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill essentially threw Milner under the proverbial bus with a statement on the official Aston Villa website - so no possible claim that the former Celtic boss was misquoted.
It is, frankly, a quite an extraordinary way of doing things. In making the statement that Milner and his representatives have asked to go and said that they will not sign a new contract, O'Neill has created an atmosphere where it will make it impossible for the English international midfielder to stay. It would be fascinating to see City pull any offer off the table and watch the relationship with Milner and O'Neill, because it's completely done.
You only make this sort of comment, as far as I can see, if the intent is to force the issue. Rumours abound, and you know how much credence I give those, but it is said by the Guardian that Villa would like Stephen Ireland as part of the package.
Villa can have the Stephen Ireland of last year. The Stephen Ireland of 2008-09 should cost Villa Milner plus cash. If the Irishman goes and if O'Neill gets the best out of him it will be a stunningly good bit of business by Villa. Couple of ifs in that sentence but O'Neill is a good manager.