England’s Milner makes his case for World Cup place

Martin O’Neill has backed James Milner to fill the vacancy in England’s World Cup squad that has opened up as a result of David Beckham’s Achilles injury.

Milner’s match-winning display in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Wigan left Villa firmly in the hunt for a fourth-place finish in the Premier League, which carries the prize of a place in next season’s Champions League

And the 24-year-old’s performance in central midfield received a rave review from his manager.

“It was an extraordinary performance by a really good player,” O’Neill said.

“Since he has stepped into central midfield his game his improved tenfold and he continues to go from strength to strength.”

Milner started his career as a right-sided midfield player but his chances of getting into the England squad could rest on his versatility given that he has demonstrated the ability to fill in at left-back as well as becoming an increasingly accomplished central midfielder.

O’Neill added: “When you play wide you depend on other people giving you the ball to get into the game but when you have got that determination and energy, you might as well use it in the centre of the field.

“It is something we have been crying out for, a midfielder scoring double figures, and he has been sensational.”

Villa remain in seventh place in the table but victory moved them within three points of fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.

O’Neill added: “It was important for us to close the gap. We did that and it was a brilliant win for us.”

A James McCarthy own goal gave Villa the lead but Wigan quickly equalised in the middle of an evenly-fought first-half, Gary Caldwell heading in Charles N’Zogbia’s free-kick.

The defeat leaves Wigan four points above the relegation zone and has raised the stakes for this weekend’s meeting with fellow strugglers Burnley.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez said: “It was a really even game, really open.”

“I couldn’t see much between the two sides. I am just disappointed about the own goal and a soft goal from a corner after a poor clearance.”

“That leaves a bad taste because I don’t think the players deserved to get nothing out of the game. I felt the players shared everything in that game and it should have been a draw.”