Aston Villa: How much would you let Milner join City for?

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill has reluctantly admitted that England international James Milner can join the billionaires of Manchester City, but only at the right price.

The former Celtic manager claims that Milner wants to leave Villa Park and join his former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry at Eastlands and O’Neill knows there is no mileage in keeping a player at a club when their heart isn’t in it.

The only question left to answer though is just how much will City have to shell out to secure the services of the former Newcastle United and Leeds man?

Roberto Mancini has already had a bid of £20 million turned down for the versatile star and he isn’t going to rest until he has his man. But what would be a reasonable price for a player that Villa paid £12 million for just two years ago?

There’s no doubt that Milner is a decent player and was easily the Villains’ best player last season, but there is no way that the 24-year-old is worth more than £20 million. Sure he is full of energy, can score goals, deliver live ammunition for the strikers and whip in a glorious ball from the flanks, but what has he really done in the game to warrant such a hefty transfer fee?

When you consider that Barcelona think they can persuade Arsenal to part with their captain Cesc Fabregas for £30 million you realise just how inflated our transfer market is. Fabregas has played in the Champions League, is the main driving force at Arsenal and has played a vital role in his country becoming European and World champions. Can Milner’s achievements come anywhere near that? Not a chance. But then you can’t blame Milner. You are only worth what somebody is willing to pay and Mancini is prepared to pay through the nose to add Milner to his bulging midfield options.

O’Neill’s admission that Milner can leave has split the football world. Some see it as a sign of Villa’s lack of ambition. Others view it as total business sense.

Since Milner arrived at Villa Park the Villains’ young squad have battled valiantly to get into the top four. Unfortunately they have come up short due to a lack of strength in depth. But how are they expected to continue that dream when they keep letting their best players leave like Barry and Milner? Surely you need to keep your best players if you want to achieve things in this game. Not only does it attract better players, it also breathes confidence throughout the club.

In an ideal world I’m sure O’Neill would love to keep Milner at Villa, but the youngster has made it quite clear that he sees his future elsewhere and in business terms this is just too good an offer to turn down. When Manchester City come calling you know you can add another couple of million on the asking price because they are so loaded and desperate for success.

Say if Villa accept an offer of £25 million, O’Neill could put that money to good use by reinvesting that money to buy at least two of three quality replacements – thus boosting the squad and improving their chances of success.

No player is bigger than the team. Look at Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo. Nobody expected the Red Devils to mount a serious title assault last season without the Portuguese winker but Wayne Rooney stepped up to the plate and they almost won the whole lot. It’s definitely a case of the king is dead, long live the king.

There are plenty of players capable of filling Milner’s boots and at £20 million plus, Villa should be in a much healthier position, on and off the pitch. But what is the right price for Milner?

· Calling all Villa fans. How much would it take for you to let Milner leave? How much would you like Milner to stay at the club? Do you think this revelation shows a lack of ambition by Villa or do you trust O’Neill to reinvest this money in improving the squad? Who would you like to see arrive at Villa Park in Milner’s place? Whatever your view I’d love to hear from you.

 

Do you fancy yourself as the perfect pundit? Do you think you could beat Paul the octopus in predicting the right scores? Then we want to hear from you too. We are expanding our Premier League Prediction Panel this season to include a representative of each Premier League side and we urgently need an Aston Villa fan to take part. If you would like to be considered for this role then please get in touch.