Aston Villa play waiting game for James Milner

Jun 11 2008 By Bill Howell

VILLA will have to be prepared to play a waiting game with Newcastle if they are to capture winger James Milner.

The 22-year-old former loanee is expected to begin talks with Kevin Keegan about the possibility of a new contract when he returns from holiday.

That is despite the fact he still has three years to run on a four-year-deal he signed last July.

No date has yet been fixed for that meeting where it is believed Milner's representatives will want to get their client's pay to reflect his rising status in the game.

Milner made 25 league starts with four sub appearances for United last season, scoring two goals.

Keegan though may decide to use those talks to set the ball rolling in a bid to cash in on the player with reports he has to slash his wage bill in an attempt to rebuild his Newcastle side this summer.

David Rozehnal completed a permanent move to Lazio yesterday after a loan spell last season, while Newcastle have already released Stephen Carr, Peter Ramage, James Troisi and Emre in order to reduce their outgoings.

Villa are thought to be ready to pay between £7million-£8million - almost double the fee that would have snared him two years ago before a last-minute hitch.

Martin O'Neill has been a firm admirer of the former Leeds wide man for the past two years but he will have to battle against interest from elsewhere.

Liverpool are believed to have offered three fringe players in a part-exchange deal that was rejected out of hand.

O'Neill tried to sign Milner on deadline day two years ago only to suffer a last-minute setback when he was recalled by Newcastle after Mark Viduka's proposed move to St James' Park from Middlesbrough fell through.

Milner spent the whole 2005-06 season on loan at Villa Park, scoring one goal in 27 Premier League starts.