Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill keen to negotiate new deal with James Milner

The club intend to open contract negotiations with the midfielder at the end of the season, making the 24 year-old one of the highest earners at Villa Park should he agree a new deal.Milner will only be halfway through his four-year contract, yet O'Neill is keen to tie the player down to an extension. Related ArticlesAston Villa v Wolverhampton Wanderers: match previewMilner: England's silver liningVilla in good shape for top fourO'Neill hails 'extraordinary' MilnerZola inspired by Fulham ahead of Arsenal testSport on televisionIt will cost the club dearly, for Milner, who signed for £12 million in 2008, is understood to earn £45,000 a week, which would probably rise by £20,000 under a new contract. "With him playing so well for us it would be important if we can do something," O'Neill said. "I have phenomenal regard for two world-class players in [Frank] Lampard and [Steven] Gerrard, but James is playing as strongly as anybody in the Premier League."Meanwhile, Gabriel Agbonlahor is expected to be fit to start in the local derby with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The striker suffered a groin strain against Wigan earlier in the week.

Source: Telegraph