Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill: Milner can start for England
Milner has operated with great success in a central-midfield role in recent months for Villa and played an important part in their push for a Champions League spot.[LNB]He is expected to occupy that position alongside Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov in Tuesday night's Premier League clash at Wigan.[LNB]But O'Neill is quick to remind people that Milner was equally as effective on the right flank before the return to fitness of Stewart Downing allowed him to switch inside.[LNB]O'Neill said: "James can play out there and probably that has been lost a bit since he moved into the middle.[LNB]"But he is an all-purpose player and, at this stage, James would have as good a chance as anyone of being on the plane outside of those absolutely nailed on to go to the World Cup.[LNB]"If he had to start on the right, he wouldn't let England down. Not at all. No problem."[LNB]O'Neill also feels Ashley Young and Downing should not give up hope of being part of Fabio Capello's plans this summer.[LNB]He said: "Beckham is not going now to the World Cup and that should allow a place for people to still climb on that plane to the World Cup and I include the likes of Stewart Downing and Ashley Young.[LNB]"I would think Stewart and Ashley shouldn't give up. They should continue to perform for Villa which is the only way they can get noticed and hope that is enough.[LNB]"Ashley has not been in recent squads and that will be a disappointment to him but he doesn't show it. He doesn't spend time thinking about it.[LNB]"His club form is bringing him to the attention of the England manager and I hope will continue to flourish."[LNB]O'Neill admits it is hard to know why Wigan's fortunes fluctuate so greatly given the fact they have defeated Villa, Chelsea and, most recently, Liverpool this season.[LNB]He said: "It has been a strange season for them. They beat us on the opening day of the season and within a few weeks were losing heavily to Manchester United at home and Tottenham away.[LNB]"But they have the ability, as they proved against Liverpool, that they can definitely play.[LNB]"It must be a source of annoyance to the manager that they can produce such wonderful football one week and not reproduce the following week."[LNB]Villa's leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor could return to the starting line-up at Wigan.[LNB]Agbonlahor missed the FA Cup quarter-final win at Reading through illness eight days ago and was only named among the substitutes for the weekend goalless draw at Stoke.[LNB]But the 14-goal player is now back to full fitness and may dislodge either John Carew or former Wigan striker Emile Heskey as Villa look to maintain their 2010 unbeaten league record.[LNB][LNB] England Top Goalscorer. Click here to bet.
