Source: Daily_Mail
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits he faces a fight to keep James Milner and Ashley Young
Martin O'Neill fears his topplayers James Milner andAshley Young will be targetsfor the top four clubs thissummer. [LNB]Milner and Young have beenthe two stand-out playersduring an Aston Villacampaign that has againpromised much, but so farfailed to deliver a tangiblereward. [LNB]With England manager FabioCapello certain to nameMilner as part of his WorldCup squad and contractnegotiations under way,O'Neill is fully aware that thespotlight may be about tofocus even more closely onhis two prize assets.[LNB] Wanted man: James Milner [LNB] Young,24, was last season's YoungPlayer of the Year and hasalso been linked with aswitch away from Villa Park. [LNB]The Villa manager, who hasconfirmed 24-year-oldMilner is due a pay rise, haslittle doubt that themidfielder is now close tothe finished product. [LNB]'I wouldn't be surprised thatJames Milner and AshleyYoung have attractedattention from the very bestclubs here and abroad,' hesaid. [LNB]'I rate them that highly andthey have shown maturityon the field and off it.[LNB]'Milner's performanceagainst Everton wasextraordinary. I'm delightedfor him. [LNB]'He's down as one of thefour young players of theyear.[LNB][LNB]Star turn: Ashley Young [LNB]'Assuming that WayneRooney doesn't win both and he deserves the mainaccolade then I think thatJames would be deservingof the young player. He hasbeen that brilliant. [LNB]'Milner has been arevelation. He has steppedinfield 20 yards and justbeen fantastic. [LNB]'He has theenergy, the determinationand, more importantly, hehas the ability. [LNB]'He's in the centre of thatmidfield and looks like he'splayed there since he was16.' [LNB]Milner joined Villa in thesummer of 2008 and is themost-capped EnglandUnder 21 player, with 46. [LNB]O'Neill is hoping that the facthe can guarantee Milnerand Young first-teamfootball at Aston Villa rather than just a place aspart of a squad might helpsway any decision about amove. [LNB]'I think both of them wouldgrace any side,' addedO'Neill.[LNB] 'But they might beforced into a morerotational system and justat this minute that would bea consideration for them.Most players want to playevery single week.[LNB]'We haven't had the luxury. Iwent up to watchManchester United at Wiganand it was eye-openinglooking at the ManchesterUnited players sitting infront of me, not even on thesubs' bench. [LNB]'I'd like them (James andAshley) to stay here and seeif we can break into thatbracket.'[LNB] All the latest team news ahead of the weekend's Premier League actionPremier League could demand proof of funds to avoid repeat of Portsmouth Man United keep eye on Milner as Aston Villa sweat on star's contract Portsmouth v ASTON VILLA: Stephen Warnock set to recover in time to start [LNB]
