Source: SKY_Sports
O'Neill challenges Milner
Martin O'Neill has called for James Milner to carry his form from this season into the next and earn a place in England's World Cup squad.
The 23-year-old has been one of Aston Villa's most consistent performers this term, scoring a career best of seven goals in all competitions.
The former Leeds youngster has made the transition from Newcastle look easy despite costing Villa a club record £12million in the summer.
The England U21 international can help Villa secure fifth place and with it automatic qualification to next season's Europa League, if they can beat Hull City at Villa Park on Monday.
"James has done splendidly in a role which is really physically demanding," the Villa boss said.
"You are expected to go up and down the pitch, support and create and score the occasional goal and you are expected to get back and be the first line of defence.
"But he has a terrific heart and I think he will be all the better for this season.
"Can he challenge for the World Cup squad? I don't see why not and that should be his driving ambition, to play well for us to get himself into
that squad.
"But if the comments I hear and read are correct I think the England manager likes James - and it is up to him to go and show it."
After successfully jumping from the U21 to the senior squad under Capello this season, O'Neill is quick to point out that he will not be putting any unnecessary pressure on his charge.
"What I don't want James and other players to do is to put themselves under unnecessary pressure next season by being at a game where everyone knows that the England manager is there and think it might be make or break," he added.
"I would rather they be judged over a three, four, five-month period rather than one particular game where people think 'this is it' if Capello is making the choice between two or three wide right-hand side players.
"But I think the England manager is too experienced to do that."
The former Leicester and Celtic boss also admired the way with which Milner had dealt with the transfer fee, especially at the beginning of the season.
"James has not been affected, not at all. He knew the scene here before from his loan spell although the training ground is new," he continued.
"He settled in very quickly. The fee would not have bothered him in the slightest. He would be the first one to say 'you paid it not me'. To me he has justified it.
"Players can crumble when they cost a big fee. It is all right a player saying 'someone else paid it' but you have been given a valuation and for a while you have to cope with that."
