By Ollie Irish

As predicted, Aston Villa have agreed to sell James Milner to Manchester City. The English midfielder will undergo a medical at Eastlands later today. Shouldn’t be any problem there – Milner is as fit as a butcher’s dog.

The fee is reported to be £18m, plus City reject Stephen Ireland. Which amounts to something like £25m in total.

Almost £20m plus a very talented young playmaker seems to me like one sweet deal for Villa. Ireland was squeezed out by Bob Mancini, but that doesn’t make him a bad player. It’s not so long ago – the 2008-09 season – that he was running the show for City. Okay, he’s a bit of a mentalist, but he’s a proper footballer.

And as good as Milner is, his star qualities – energy, strength, versatility – are hardly irreplaceable. It’s Ashley Young who Villa must hang on to.

Overall, Villa fans should be pretty chuffed with this cash-plus-player swap.

Who do you think got the better deal?

                          

By Ollie Irish

Today’s Armchair Gaffer features Aston Villa, of course.

The vultures are circling. They fancy a peck or two at the carcass Martin O’Neill left behind – and who can blame them.

O’Neill has gone in the night, leaving Aston Villa without a manager just days before the start of the new season. The Midlands club is extremely vulnerable.

Richer clubs than Villa sensed this even before O’Neill quit, of course. The likes of Man City and Tottenham could see that MoN was unhappy with the lack of new funds for players; they could see that he would also struggle to keep his best young players. In the Premier League, standing still is a dangerous and difficult game to play. And now Villa look set to lose two of their brightest stars.

James Milner is very close to signing for Manchester City, whilst Tottenham definitely fancy a slice of Ashley Young, and both clubs know now is a good time to pounce; Randy Lerner is exposed.

A simple question for Villa fans, then. Would you rather lose Milner or Young? Vote below:

I voted for Milner. As much as I rate him, his game is all about energy and stamina, qualities that are easier to come by than the sparks of inspiration that Young provides (albeit not as much as he should). Young stays.

                          

By Ollie Irish

It’s official, or at least Martin O’Neill has confirmed it: James Milner wants to leave Aston Villa this summer, which means Man City have to come up with a number that MoN and Villa are happy with.

“I had a conversation with James before the World Cup and he intimated that he’d like to go,” said O’Neill.

“I’d imagine things will be resolved in foreseeable future.

“City made an offer but it did not meet our valuation.

“I’m sure matters will be resolved soon. James is back next week having had extended holiday.”

It’s a big blow for the Midlands club.

What figure do you think Villa would be happy with? I value Milner at around £18-20m, but expect Villa will want a wee bit more than that. How much do you think he’s worth?

                          

By Ollie Irish

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Football fans gather outside the stadium, prior to the training match at Moruleng Stadium, Moruleng, South Africa.

Photos: Owen Humphreys / PA

(Great pics, Owen, by the way)

The main thing for England was to survive this run-out without picking up any fresh injuries. In that respect, it was a successful training exercise, even if there was a bit too much huff ‘n’ puff (England’s work rate was very good), and not enough inspiration.

England scored through Jermain Defoe, Joe Cole (the only Englishman to play 90 minutes, no doubt because Capello can see he lacks match fitness) and Wayne Rooney.

The Platinum Stars blasted an early penalty over the bar (the Adidas Jabulani + altitude = beach ball), conceded by Glen Johnson, but apart from that – and it was a harsh penalty anyway – England dominated, as expected. Oh, and Emile Heskey bungled a couple of easy chances, so nothing new there. I still expect him to start with Rooney on Saturday.

Now bring on those Yanks…

                          

By Ollie Irish

Milner is good. He’s not this good…

More fake than Didier Drogba’s weave.

Camp Drog says:

“Oooh, you bitch! It’s all my own hair, darling.”

                          

By Ollie Irish

Manchester City’s £20million bid for Aston Villa and England midfielder James Milner has been instantly rejected by the Midlands club.

City launched their initial bid on Wednesday night and it took almost no time for a Villa spokesman to respond: “We have received an offer from Manchester City for James Milner and this has been firmly rejected.

“We plan to sit down with James and his representative after the World Cup to agree a new long-term deal and this remains our position.”

Or, put through the Pies ‘no bullshit’ translator: “Twenty million?! You’re taking the piss, you oil-rich, northern bastards. Double it and we’ll talk…”

City will be back with a new, improved bid to test Martin O’Neill’s patience – you can be sure of it.

* * * * *

How much do you think Milner is worth?? I think £25m is about right. Certainly no more than that. This is James Milner we’re talking about – very hard worker, very good pro and all that, but he’s no Cesc Fabregas.

Also, I don’t think Milner’s career would benefit especially from a move to City, who already have quite a few midfielders vying for first-team places. Stay where you are, son.