Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill keen to negotiate new deal with James Milner

19 March 2010 19:30
The club intend to open contract negotiations with the midfielder at the end of the season, making the 24 year-old one of the highest earners at Villa Park should he agree a new deal.[LNB]Milner will only be halfway through his four-year contract, yet O'Neill is keen to tie the player down to an extension.[LNB] Related ArticlesAston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers: match previewMilner: England's silver liningVilla in good shape for top fourO'Neill hails 'extraordinary' MilnerZola inspired by Fulham ahead of Arsenal testSport on televisionIt will cost the club dearly, for Milner, who signed for £12 million in 2008, is understood to earn £45,000 a week, which would probably rise by £20,000 under a new contract. [LNB]"With him playing so well for us it would be important if we can do something," O'Neill said. "I have phenomenal regard for two world-class players in [Frank] Lampard and [Steven] Gerrard, but James is playing as strongly as anybody in the Premier League."[LNB]Meanwhile, Gabriel Agbonlahor is expected to be fit to start in the local derby with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The striker suffered a groin strain against Wigan earlier in the week. [LNB]

Source: Telegraph