Aston Villa's Milner has sights set on lengthy stay in England squad

Feb 10 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

I should be here, keep putting in performances, keep improving and show that I want to stay here.”

Milner insists tomorrow’s friendly has come as a welcome tonic despite Villa being in the middle of what could be deemed a title race.

“It is a nice distraction,” he said. “It is what we are about. You obviously have international breaks. The Premiership is massive and you are in the thick of it every week.

“This is about changing your style because international football is a lot different.

“You have to get into a frame of mind and take a step back then get back into the Premier League. That’s what I was doing with the under-21s for a while.

“All the players here are world class and they are used to doing that.

“It is about learning and watching them and keep improving and enjoying it more and, like I say, proving that you should be here.”

Milner says he has found it easy to settle in his new surrounds.

“Having played for the under-21s helps a lot,” he added.

“I have been in the set-up at the FA all the way through from the under-16s to the under-21s.

“You hope that one day you can make the step up to the full squad.

“Now it has happened and that is all credit to the way things have gone.

“Having six players here from Villa also helps.

“It helps having a few familiar faces around. It helps you settle in a lot quicker.

“But the lads have been great anyway. It was great just getting out there on the training field.”