Milner scores as Villa nail Hammers

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) – James Milner was given a warm send-off after helping Aston Villa defeat West Ham United 3-0 at Villa Park here on Saturday.

Victory, on the opening day of the new Premier League season, was just the boost Villa needed after former manager Martin O’Neill’s shock resignation earlier in the week,
Milner was given a standing ovation when substituted five minutes before the end of Villa’s facile victory against former Portsmouth boss Avram Grant’s outclassed West Ham.

The England winger had already put his stamp on what is likely to be his final appearance in Villa colours with a 65th minute goal, the Birmingham club’s third.

The entire Villa support stood to acknowledge him as he was replaced by Nigel Reo-Coker five minutes from time in what is likely to be Milner’s final appearance before completing his proposed 28 million pounds move to top-flight rivals Manchester City.

If it was farewell to Milner, it could be welcome to a whole new regime at Villa, currently under carertaker boss Kevin MacDonald.

The reserve team coach had ruled himself out as candidate to replace O’Neill by saying he was not a “big enough name” 24 hours earlier, but this result may have changed the mind of Villa owner Randy Lerner.

Villa supporters made no reference to O’Neill and instead chanted: “There’s only one Randy Lerner” as the American watched on from the directors’ box.

Former Liverpool midfielder MacDonald’s confidence in Milner being in the right frame of mind to handle the game was fully justified and his request Villa supporters did not give the England international abuse for deciding to leave was respected.

Instead the majority of the crowd turned on West Ham’s Rob Green, following the England goalkeeper’s World Cup blunder against the United States. Green’s every touch was jeered and it clearly affected his concentration in the build up to Villa’s opening goal.

He should have easily collected Ashley Young’s poor cross and was under no pressure when he made a punch which was returned with interest.

Green could only parry straight to Stewart Downing, who appeared way offside for his tap in, but the goal stood.

Villa stretched their lead five minutes before the interval. Ashley Young’s cross picked out Stiliyan Petrov’s great run into the area and the Bulgarian, who failed to score in the league last season, guided his header beyond Green.

England winger Downing hit the bar twice, once with a wicked long range free-kick.

Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel made just one save in the entire game, pushing away Luis Boa Morte’s weak shot, while West Ham’s Julian Faubert somehow failed to hit the target from 12 yards out.

West Ham were punished further 25 minutes from time when Marc Albrighton tormented James Tomkins and cut back for Milner to have the final say with a fine left foot finish.