Aston Villa: James Milner reveals secret of O'Neill's success

Feb 10 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

 and his staff and the players at Villa.

“It is obviously a great club to be playing at at the moment. I am enjoying my football and am lucky enough to be part of that.”

Milner says O’Neill has made football fun again.

He continued: “The manager obviously fills you with a lot of confidence.

“You can see from the run we have been on this season that if you are enjoying your football you will play your best football. We have been doing that.”

Milner is now looking to make just as big an impact on his debut as Agbonlahor did on his first start against Germany.

“Gabby has done very well. I travelled down with him and he was telling me this and that about what goes on and what is expected of you,’’ he said.

“Ashley Young has also done very well. With Stuart Pearce working so closely with the manager, it shows that if you do play well for the under-21s and your club then you will get your chance.

“That’s fair play. You are going to get in on merit and then it is down to you to put in performances to prove that you should be here.”

Milner’s first impression of the England camp is that he has swapped one great manager for another in Fabio Capello.

“He has got a great track record. You see the set-up and it is obviously very professional,’’ said Milner.

“It is similar to the under-21s. It gives you the best opportunity to play your best football.”

Milner is expecting a tough baptism against the European champions.

“They are obviously a very strong team. They have got a lot of quality,’’ he said.

“It is more about us and how we are as a team. We got a good result in Germany which is no mean feat and hopefully we can take the confidence from that and get a similar result.’’