Aston Villa Football Club News

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

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Villa reject City's Milner offer

20 May 2010 - 07:12:19

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Aston Villa have rejected a £20million offer from Manchester City for James Milner.

City have been linked with a move for the England midfielder since the end of a season where he was named PFA Young Player of the Year.

The 24-year-old scored 12 goals in 49 appearances for the Midlands club and is halfway through a four-year contract.

However, Villa intend to hold talks with Milner when he returns from World Cup duty where they will offer former Leeds United and Newcastle midfielder a new long-term deal.

"We have received an offer from Manchester City for James Milner and this has been firmly rejected," said a Villa spokesman.

"We plan to sit down with James and his representative after the World Cup to agree a new long-term deal and this remains our position."

Villa paid Newcastle £12million for the former England Under-21 international when they signed him in 2008.

Earlier in the week, club owner Randy Lerner pledged to do all he could to retain Milner following rumours of interest from big-spending City.

He said: "I'm not worried about losing James Milner. I think James will play for Aston Villa and should play for Aston Villa.

"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."