Source: Daily_Mail
James Milner's move to Manchester City hits brick wall
Martin O'Neill has hinted that Manchester City may give up on their pursuit of James Milner. [LNB]The Aston Villa manager has admitted that he will let the England midfielder quit this summer - but only at the right price. [LNB]Villa are understood to be demanding £30million for Milner, with City reluctant to go beyond £24m. [LNB] Fight for control: James Milner (right) is wanted by Manchester City[LNB]Milner was missing from the side that beat Walsall 2-1 in Tuesday night's friendly match - after which O'Neill spoke on the star's future.[LNB] He said: 'There is no question that James Milner will continue to give his best if the deal doesn't go through. [LNB] 'The latest state of play is that Manchester City have gone as far as they want to. We'll wait with baited breath on that one, myself included. [LNB]Chase: Man City boss Roberto Mancini[LNB] 'I think the owner puts a price on players. Of course, he will have an idea on the price. Negotiations are being conducted by the Villa chief executive and the owner and I will be guided by them.' [LNB]Milner will now join up with the Villa squad to fly out to Portugal where they will compete in the Guadiana Cup against Benfica and Feyenoord. [LNB]O'Neill added: 'James loves playing and last season played when others wouldn't. That is why I have no concern in regard to his character and involvement with Villa.' [LNB] O'Neill believes the majority of Villa fans would be happy for Milner to remain at the midlands club if his possible move fails to materialise. [LNB]The Villa boss accepts any player would be affected by offers from big-spending City, but he is confident Milner would be welcomed back with open arms by most supporters if he stays at Villa - in the same way as Gareth Barry two years ago. [LNB]Barry was then poised to move to Liverpool but instead remained at Villa for another 12 months before switching to Eastlands in a £12m deal. [LNB]O'Neill said: 'We had a meeting with James on Monday. The word "amicable" was used to describe the meeting and that would be quite right.[LNB] 'I can understand totally that players would be affected by offers from Manchester City, particularly in this day and age where it looks as if they can get who they want.[LNB] Preparations: Aston Villa beat Walsall 2-1 on Tuesday night[LNB] 'Some of us a season or two ago had a wry smile when they were after Kaka and we thought that was just impossible - and now you get the impression that within a month or two, he wouldn't get into their team! [LNB]'If you can draw a comparison to Gareth Barry, if it didn't go through, then, of course, he would feel a possible loss for a little while. But at the end of it all, Gareth settled down and played brilliantly for us. [LNB]'I think the overwhelming majority of supporters, seeing what James did for us last season, would be delighted if he stayed at the football club.' [LNB] Milner holds 'amicable' talks with Villa boss O'Neill and joins pre-season tripCity on alert as Benfica tell Chelsea to improve £27m bid for defender LuizASTON VILLA FC
