Villan4Life

daily star

FURIOUS James Milner will have showdown talks with Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill on Monday.

The England international will let O’Neill know he is far from happy at the way he has been cast as the villain over his possible big money move to Manchester City.

The 24-year-old midfielder feels his manager is in danger of hanging him out to dry with Villa fans after suggesting that he had expressed a desire to leave.

Milner is anxious that City’s interest in him could spectacularly backfire if the two clubs fail to agree a fee for him.

City have bid £20m for the player but Villa insist their man is ­valued at around £30m.

Milner has kept quiet on the matter.

But he is concerned that O’Neill’s ­comments could put him in a ­similar situation to when Gareth Barry left the club last season.

Angry fans vented their angry at Barry who had been at the club for 10 years, ­accusing him of only being interested in money.

Milner has told close friends that he is happy at Villa and has not asked to leave the club.

Now he is worried that if City fail to meet Villa’s valuation and the proposed deal ­fizzles out, he is left ­between a rock and a hard place through no fault of his own.

Milner has two years left on his contract ­following his £12m move from Newcastle.

City are expected to come in with an ­improved offer in the region of £25m to land their man next week.

But that will be ­pre-empted by O’Neill and the player clearing the air in talks on ­Monday when the club return from a pre-­season trip to Ireland.

Milner is not due back at Villa Park until then anyway because he was given an ­extended break along with the other Villa players involved in World Cup duty.

He will make his views known to O’Neill and insisted that he is quite happy to carry on furthering his career at Villa if City’s interest goes no further.

But he will express his concern that O’Neill’s remarks could taint his relationship with the supporters.

mirror

Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is ready to swoop for England World Cup striker Emile Heskey in a bargain deal.

Allardyce has demanded that his cash-conscious club dig deep for a new forward and wants to raid Aston Villa for Heskey and hit them with a £2million bid.

Heskey has slipped out of Martin O’Neill’s starting line-up and could be interested in the move for first-team football and a return to the north west of England.

Allardyce wants a striker of stature to join his squad which is looking painfully short up front where Jason Roberts is available and young Nikola Kalinic is still finding his feet.

Villa would be willing to sell Heskey and may take a low fee if Rovers can pick up his large wages and get him off the payroll just 18 months after his move from Wigan.

Allardyce has had showdown talks with his bosses about the lack of transfer activity – with Rovers not yet making a signing and the season just three weeks away.

Rovers have been the target for a takeover bid by a group of Indian businessmen, but Allardyce has told his money men that the club must invest now or put themselves in trouble.

Heskey would be a major capture for Rovers and the fact that he has quit international football means that he can concentrate on his club career.

Mirror

Manchester City will make a final £24million take-it-or-leave it offer for Aston Villa midfielder James Milner.

City have upped their original offer of £20m but have warned Villa - who have put a £30m valuation on the England World Cup star - that they are not prepared to go any higher.

Milner is said to be furious with Martin O'Neill after the Villa boss yesterday went public on the player's situation and claimed he wanted to quit the club to move to Eastlands.

The 24-year-old was left in limbo after Villa rejected City's original bid of £20m but Milner could yet secure a move if, as expected, a compromise on the price is reached between the two clubs.

But if Villa stick to their guns and reject City's final offer, Milner fears he could be forced to stay at Villa and cop flak from their fans - just like Gareth Barry when his proposed move to Liverpool collapsed.

O'Neill said: "James and his agent came to see us before the World Cup and intimated that they would like to go.

"Manchester City have put a valuation on the player. It doesn't match our particular valuation but we will see, that may well be resolved.

"City have put themselves into a different stratosphere at the moment and a lot of players want to be part of that."

Milner, capped 11 times, is due back at Villa on Monday after an extended break following international duty with England in South Africa. He is refusing to discuss a new contract while ambitious City remain in the hunt for him.

But Milner insists he has never demanded to be sold or requested to leave in an end of season meeting with O'Neill and club officials. Milner, who has two years left on a £45,000-a-week deal, believes O'Neill's comments are designed to flush out an improved bid from City.

Villa have to sell in order to buy this summer and need cash to make signings of their own, like Robbie Keane and Aiden McGeady. Meanwhile, Villa are ready to accept a cut-price offer for Luke Young after the defender declined to go to their Irish training camp.

O'Neill and his first team squad are in Ireland training ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Bohemians. But right-back Young, 31, has opted to stay in the UK as he is desperate to quit with Fulham are favourites for his signature.

How the mighty have fallen, couldn't happen to a nicer guy *snigger*

Hendrie

Aberdeen have confirmed that former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has arrived at Pittodrie for signing talks

The 33-year-old has been looking for a new club since leaving Derby at the end of last season.

Hendrie, who earned an England cap during his 12-year stay with Villa, spent the second half of the season on loan at Brighton.

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee, who played six trialists during weekend friendlies against Fraserburgh and Peterhead, could now make Hendrie his fourth summer signing after Northern Ireland internationals Rory McArdle and Josh Magennis plus goalkeeper Mark Howard.

A statement on the club's official website read: 'English midfielder Lee Hendrie has arrived in Aberdeen today with a view to potentially signing for the Dons.

'It is a chance for Lee to familiarise himself with the Dons and the area and chance for Mark and his coaching staff to have a look at the player

Gai Assulin on trial at Blackburn at moment, be a good signing for them i reck!

The Sun

MARTIN O'NEILL is weighing up an £8million bid for Mario Mandzukic.

Aston Villa's boss sent scouts to check on the Croatia striker on Tuesday and is ready to step up his interest.

O'Neill has received glowing reports on Mandzukic, 23, who struck twice for Dinamo Zagreb in a 5-1 Champions League qualifier win over FC Koper.

The Irishman can bolster his transfer kitty with the anticipated sales of Nigel Reo-Coker, Steve Sidwell and Luke Young.

And he is prepared to use a large chunk of his expected transfer pot to lure Mandzukic to Villa Park.

Mandzukic has guided Zagreb to back-to-back league and cup doubles in Croatia in the last two seasons but wants a fresh challenge in the Premier League.

His representatives are actively looking to find him a top-flight club here and Everton, Tottenham and Arsenal have also expressed interest in him.

HAHAHA The Sun got this wrong, printed into todays rag paper!! This guy signed yesterday around 3pm for Wolfsburg

I notice West Ham are signing that Mexican Barera, i'd try and get Stanislas of them, young and can be developed into another Ashley in my opinion.

good shout that is, I think he's excellent, can't believe he hasn't had more opportunities at West Ham

totally agree... Stanislas same build as Ash etc and is a can become a very good player i'd take him straight away!!

Just read in The Sun thatNewcastle are after Jonathan De Guzman (on a free, we was linked with him in January! Only 22 years old!

Seville and someone else are after him but he wants to play in premiership

Worth a punt?

if you say so

if we want to progress, we should not be signing average young players like Gosling, he has no pace, very limited technical ability, he's living off his goal against Liverpool, absolutely shocking player, I would be distraught if we signed him

he scored in the 3-1 win against Man Utd, Rodwell also netted!

I agree though he is living off both the Man Utd and Liverpool goals, Everton got him from Plymouth, hardly a place where the best youngsters come from

Let Newcastle have him imagine a midfield pairing of Danny Guthrie and Gosling haha!!! would be awful!

I would realistically like see the following

Kevin Prince Boateng

Stephen Ireland

Anthony Annan

N. Clyne

Robbie Keane

8)

That Thomas Muller for scored twice yesterday looks some player too! only 20 years old and a good scoring record for German already, attacking mid/forward!!

Ozil and Sami Khedira everyone is talking about, but how about cheeky bid for Muller?

I said at the time i thoughr ISM was right, im sure they're all watching it somewhere, but id rather we prepped for and then piled into the u19 championship next month

I think the only really surprising player at the wc is the north korean striker

Jong Tae-Se?

Read he was on trial at Blackburn at start of year and Sam was mega impressed, looks like they will follow it up after world cup!!

Get in there first Martin

the sun

JONG TAE-SE has set his sights on a move to Blackburn.

The striker - dubbed the North Korean Wayne Rooney - cried his way through his country's national anthem before facing Brazil on Tuesday.

Jong, 26, had a week's trial with Rovers this year and said: "Years ago I used to train in a Blackburn shirt."

Anyone think Chung-Yong Lee of Bolton would be a good player to look at? won all Boltons player of the year awards and looks very good for only 21 years old!!

Yeah i like sound of South Korea's Park Chu-Young or that Jong Tae-Se of North Korea (One who got 2 great goals) against Greece

Surely he will cost only around 2.5-4mil max from team in Japan!!

Manchester City nip in quick for £24m Aston Villa star James Milner as Chelsea express interest

Manchester City will give the first sign in the next 48 hours of their summer transfer spending power with an offer for Aston Villa midfielder James Milner, thought to be £24million.

Mindful of Fabio Capello's rule that England players must not negotiate transfers during World Cup duty, City have moved quickly.

They expect Chelsea to compete for Milner and want to declare their interest first. Villa are expecting Chelsea to match City's offer this week.

Sources close to the player believe Villa will demand closer to £30m to even consider selling Milner, 24, which would make him one of the most expensive signings in English football history.

The England midfielder has had an excellent season with Aston Villa, but City believe Randy Lerner is ready to cash in on the former Leeds and Newcastle star. Lerner has told manager Martin O'Neill he must sell before he can buy.

O'Neill is likely to resist the transfer, but it would enable him to add to his squad this summer. Selling the popular Milner for £24m would represent a 100 per cent profit for Villa, who signed him from Newcastle for £12m in 2008.

Milner, who has represented England at under 16. under 17, under 19, under 20 and under 21 level, as well as senior level, has been destined for great things since bursting on to the scene as a 16-year-old at Leeds.

Milner last night found himself embroiled in disrupted preparations for next month's World Cup due to the ash cloud flight chaos and the weather at the training camp for Fabio Capello's England squad in the Austrian Alps.

blosers bid 7.5mil for N'Zogbia

ALEX McLEISH has offered Wigan £7.5million for midfield man Charles N'Zogbia as he looks to add quality to his Birmingham squad.

City had previously had a £6m bid rejected.

N'Zogbia, 24, cost the Latics £6m when he moved from Newcastle last year and started 35 league games last season.

Lets hope N-Zogbia turns them down

Or come on Martin match that price 8)

just a gut feeling!

I reckon we will go for Keane and also sign Kris Boyd on a free!!

Keane and Boyd up front, Keane doing all the running and chasing and feeding ball to Boyd and Boyd not doing a lot else but hopefully sticking ball in net! ie a new type partnership to mix and match with the others !!!

no one mention TSG Hoffenheim!!

Small team from Germany who gone through all divisions to be a good team in Germany!

bit like Rushden & Diamonds being in premiership!

Also have some good players too, poor owner had death threats as is a millionaire who grew up in Hoffenheim

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/3274907/Hoffenheim-stun-Bundesliga-as-Hopp-lives-his-dream-Football.html

How about:-

Felix Magath of Schalke, top of german league table and on course to win first ever German Bundesliga

Won it with Wolfsberg last year (again Wolfsbergs first German Bundesliga) and developed Edin Dzeko into world class striker!!

Seems a winner, and sort of european punt that Chelsea did with Jose!

What about Laurent Blanc or Eric Gerets?

Blanc has potential be next Wenger i reck!!

Lets hope for Wednesday, it really is a must win now, do us a little favour will you, ask MON to have a word with Mr Bent after the game about coming to Brum

Martin O'Neill Please Sign "Darren Bent".

Yep, hope he has a word general, a mate of mine has set up this group on facebook could you point MON to it!!

He is the ONE striker we need this summer, he will become a Villa Legend if we got him and is far better than anything else in prem that we could attract at moment!

What do you think to him yourself General?

I've put YES. But because he will do his usual of buying a player for more than the player would've cost had he took a punt last summer. I think he will sign Doyle.

That Kalinec fellow at Blackburn may not be a bad shout. Caused us problems in the cup games and has had a season to settle into the prem.

Yeah i agree with Stewie, Kalinec looks a good player and deffo one who would improve!! Very good shout indeed!!

Here's a stat for everyone, only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more Premiership Goals than Darren Bent in the last 5 years!

We still can try in summer, as Sunderland arn't expected to challenge anytime soon and bigger club has to take him and give him another chance sometime soon!

If we spent £15mil on striker he has to go for Darren Bent, been mentioning him on here and AVFC Forum for over 4 years since his Ipswich days! Scores goals everywhere he goes.

I dont think any foreign striker will score as many as Bent in our team

Fine , but I didn't see Dowd fumbling on the ball for 10 seconds , giving Man U the ball to put in the net. And I didn't see him miss chances from 3 yards.

The fact was, Dowd should have sent Vidic off. But our players did not play to their ability - mainly through nerves.

Did Ceuller play well, did Colliins, did Dunne, Did Heskey, did Carew.

Sorry, but it wasn't Dowds fault we lost. We choked and it was probably understandable and expected. However, I think the experience will help us today, and in 4 and 8 weeks time.

I think there is a danger of just looking at that one incident & if it was just that one incident i would agree with you.

BUT!!

The fact is Villa were doing fantastically well went 1-0 up & were causing all sorts of problems for Utd. It could have been even better had Vidic gone as he obviously should have done but still Villa were doing great even after that incident & Goal.

What really damaged us for me was the whole string of one sided decisions that then followed. Every time a Villa player made a tackle he was yellow carded & then they had to observe identical challenges going against them with no cards issued. THAT IS WHAT KNACKERED US!!!

You could physically see it rattled our players especially the defenders who were by then nearly all yellow carded!

That is when mistakes started to happen one of which of course led to the equaliser which then turned the game. The confidence went & suddenly we lost our threat... Against a team of Man Utd's calibre that is all it takes... Game over & no cup..

ALL DUE TO DODGY OFFICIATING!!

So yes if it was just the Vidic incident then fine .... move on etc etc but what happened afterwards was just as disgraceful & if anything even worse. That was the real cause of us losing our initial momentum.

I mean how on earth were our players supposed to match United's commitment when we were getting booked for it & they were not?

Were they supposed to carry on & finish up with 8 players on the pitch?

So of course it was the reason for Utd "appearing" to have the edge over us & "out playing" us when in fact the Villa players were probably just too afraid to get in their faces anymore for fear that that idiot of a ref would send them off. Let's be realistic that is part of what you need to do to beat Utd just look at Leeds victory in the FA cup over them.

So No ..... For me Mr Phillip Dowd had already decided the outcome of that game before we even kicked off.. You could say Manchester United's name was on the cup all along.............................................................................................................. If it was it was Phil dowd who had engraved it on there!!!!!

THIS***** Agree with every single word

Is exactly how myself and my mate feel, we started off brilliantly then we got nervous because each time we got booked for nothing! :cry: