Aston Villa FC

• Founded:1874
• Manager:Gerard Houllier

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:39339

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O'Neill admits bitter Milner pill

25 Jul 2010 - 13:12:55

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Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has admitted his frustration over the possibility of losing James Milner to Manchester City.

The England midfielder has told O'Neill of his desire to leave Villa Park after returning to the Midlands club following a post-World Cup break.

Villa had turned down an initial £20million bid from their big-spending Premier League rivals earlier in the summer and O'Neill was hoping to persuade Milner to stay.

However, he is now resigned to losing the 24-year-old midfielder and has been left to lament the impact on his side's chances of breaking into the Premier League's top four this season.

"Just when you think your team is getting there, getting close to fourth spot, City appear on the horizon with all this money. It seems to be getting further away," he reflected.

"Well done Spurs for getting into the Champions League (ahead of City last season), but up until their second last game they could have finished anywhere from fourth to seventh.

"Top four remains a possibility but to win the title, you need to have the squad. City will have 28 or 29 top-class players available."