Aston Villa Football Club News

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Alex McLeish

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Lerner vows to hold on to Milner

18 May 2010 - 09:04:03

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Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has poured cold water on rumours linking former Leeds United and Newcastle United star James Milner with a summer switch to Manchester City.

Chelsea have also been linked with the England international, who is expected to be in Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa that start in just over three weeks' time.

It has been suggested that Villa will have to sell before they can buy, but Lerner has no plans to offload the 24-year-old.

"I'm not worried about losing James Milner. I think James will play for Aston Villa and should play for Aston Villa," Lerner told the Daily Mail.

"I'm not dismissive of the realities that a player that has received the attention and acclaim of James is going to spark discussion and debate about a move and so on. The answer is "No", I don't worry about him leaving because he is wanted at this club."

Milner has scored 21 goals in 125 appearances for Villa since joining the club from Newcastle two years ago.