Milner will give his best if he stays: O´Neill

Aston Villa midfielder James Milner could end up staying at Aston Villa after peace talks with the club’s manager Martin O’Neill.

The clear the air meeting was held after the England international was reported to be angry that O’Neill went public with his belief he wanted to quit Villa in favour of a switch to big-spending Manchester City.

City have already had a 20 million pounds (23.9 million euros) offer for Milner rejected by Villa, but O’Neill claimed last week that he was willing to give in to the player’s wish to leave if his asking price was met.

O’Neill is waiting to see if City make a new bid that Villa deem as suitable.

Speaking after his side’s 2-1 friendly win at Walsall late Tuesday O’Neill said: “There is no question that James Milner will continue to give his best if the deal doesn’t go through.”

It is the Villa owner Randy Lerner who ultimately holds Milner’s future in his hands.

O’Neill commented: “I think the owner puts a price on players. Of course, he will have an idea on the price.

“Negotiations are being conducted by the Villa chief executive and the owner and I will be guided by them.”

Milner will join up with the Villa squad on Thursday to fly out to Portugal when O’Neill’s side will compete in the Guadiana Cup against Benfica and Feyenoord.

O’Neill added: “James loves playing and last season played when others wouldn’t.

“That is why I have no concern in regard to his character and involvement with Villa.”

O’Neill believes the majority of Villa fans would be happy for Milner to remain at the midlands club if his possible move fails to materialise.

The Villa boss is confident Milner would be welcomed back with open arms by most supporters if he stays at Villa – in the same way as Gareth Barry two years ago.

Barry was then poised to move to Liverpool but instead remained at Villa for another 12 months before switching to Eastlands in a 12 million pound deal.

O’Neill said: “We had a meeting with James on Monday. The word ‘amicable’ was used to describe the meeting and that would be quite right.

“I can understand totally that players would be affected by offers from Manchester City, particularly in this day and age where it looks as if they can get who they want.

“Some of us a season or two ago had a wry smile when they were after Kaka and we thought that was just impossible – and now you get the impression that within a month or two, he wouldn’t get into their team!”

O’Neill added: “If you can draw a comparison to Gareth Barry, if it (Milner’s move) didn’t go through, then, of course, he would feel a possible loss for a little while.

“But at the end of it all, Gareth settled down and played brilliantly for us.

“I think the overwhelming majority of supporters, seeing what James did for us last season, would be delighted if he stayed at the football club.”

The Villa boss confirmed an offer had been tabled for defender Luke Young.

Young was one of half a dozen players made available for transfer at the end of the season if the price was right.

O’Neill said: “There has been an offer from a football club which Luke is mulling over and, if it doesn’t materialise, then he would join us in Portugal (for the Guadiana Cup).”

The 31-year-old Wales international was a key performer during his first campaign at Villa after making a five million pound switch from Middlesbrough during the summer of 2008.