O'Neill rues Milner miss
02 Sep 2006 - 10:39:10
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has admitted that he was very disappointed to see a deadline day move for Newcastle United's James Milner fall through at the last minute.
Milner, who spent last season on loan at Villa Park, had travelled to the Midlands in the expectation of securing a permanent move, but the Magpies pulled the plug on Thursday afternoon.
O'Neill told the club's official website: "I feel bitterly disappointed because I felt the deal was very close.
"Newcastle gave us permission to speak with James because we had agreed a fee. He travelled with the expectation of signing and at the 11th hour he was recalled.
"We are disappointed because of the lateness of the decision. Newcastle are entitled to do what they did, it's their prerogative, but we are disappointed because it came so late in the day.
"We tried right up until midnight to keep the deal alive.
"Some transfers are dependent on other transfers and we think that might have been the case with this one and that's why it never materialised."