Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill lays down Milner gauntlet
Milner became Aston Villa's record signing when he made the £12million switch from Newcastle in August but the England Under-21 star has not been affected by the price tag and has played a significant role in Villa's push for a European spot.
They could virtually guarantee automatically qualifying for the new-look Europa League if they overcome relegation-threatened Hull on Monday evening.
O'Neill said: "James has done splendidly in a role which is really physically demanding.
"You are expected to get up the pitch, support and create and score the occasional goal and you are also expected to get back and be the first line of defence.
"But he has got a big heart and the work he has done in getting back and covering has been terrific. I think he will be all the better for this season.
"In the last couple of games, he has looked a little tired. I am not surprised because the season catches up with you. He has done fantastically well."
O'Neill added: "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."
O'Neill believes Capello will take time to judge Milner and any other candidates for the finals in South Africa over a concerted period rather than just one-off games.
He said: "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.
"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."
O'Neill saw his former Nottingham Forest team-mate Trevor Francis respond to becoming the first £1million player by scoring the winning goal in a European Cup final.
And he has not seen any signs of Milner, who spent a season on loan at Villa three years ago, being overawed by the price paid for his services to the Magpies.
O'Neill said: "James has not been affected, not at all. He knew the scene here before from his loan season although the training ground is new.
"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.
"Trevor Francis became the first £1million player and he said himself that while it is a great honour, it was a bit uncomfortable for a few weeks until you get used to it.
"Having said that, he only scored the winning goal in the European Cup final."
Aston Villa 4/7, Draw 11/4, Hull 11/2
