O'Neill: Milner can go for the right price

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will allow James Milner to leave the club for Manchester City if they meet the asking price for the England midfielder.

Milner told O'Neill before the World Cup, where he started three of England's four games, that he wanted to leave the club he joined for a reported £12million from Newcastle two years ago.

City had a bid of around £20million rejected in May for the 24-year-old and Villa are believed to be looking for a figure in the region of £30million.

O'Neill, who revealed he has not spoken to Milner since before he left for the World Cup, told www.avfc.co.uk: "The state of affairs is really straightforward. James and his agent came to see us before the World Cup and intimated that they would like to go.

"Then Manchester City made the offer, which we told them about. There is a difference of valuation at this moment between the buying club and the selling club. That may well be resolved and if that is the case then absolutely fine.

"I think James' agent has told our chief executive that he wouldn't be signing a new contract. Obviously that puts a different slant on things, like everything else.

"If a fee is agreed, at the end of the day, the player can leave."

Villa are currently in Dublin for a training camp, which includes a pre-season friendly against Bohemians on Saturday, but Milner has been given an extended break because of his involvement in the World Cup.

The former Leeds academy player evolved into one of England's best midfielders last season after moving from the right into the centre and spearheaded Villa's unsuccessful bid for a Champions League spot.

Richard Dunne, who left City for Villa last summer, does not begrudge Milner the move but warned the midfielder he could be giving up a guaranteed starting spot.

"It's part of football," said Dunne.

"He has had a great season so teams are going to be interested. If a club is going to offer enough money then players will move on.

"The manager has proven he can pick out a good player and usually, like James, he has bought them for a cheaper price than he sells them for.

"The club will miss James, who has been brilliant, but we have to move on and the manager will build again I suppose.

"James will know, because he is moving to a big club which wants to win the league, that he will be part of a squad. At Aston Villa he will play every week, at Manchester City he may not.

"But it's the opportunity where he thinks he can go and win the league. Man City is a great club and he will enjoy himself there. Team-wise it's going to be difficult for everyone to get in the team."

City have already signed midfielders Yaya Toure and David Silva this summer and manager Roberto Mancini said this week they would not be rushed in their pursuit of Milner.

Losing a star man to big-spending City would not be a new experience for O'Neill, who last summer saw captain Gareth Barry make the move to Eastlands.

There was intense speculation about the Villa boss' future towards the end of last season after owner Randy Lerner said O'Neill would have to sell players before he could add to his squad.

A big transfer fee for Milner would therefore allow the Northern Irishman to pursue other targets, which are reported to include Celtic winger Aiden McGeady.

O'Neill said: "There's no point in me mentioning names but, without wanting to lose players of the calibre of Milner, we would want to try to recruit some players.

"But, as the chairman said at the back end of last season, it's probably going to be a case of having to sell to buy and that's something I'm delving into at the moment."

He added: "I think Aiden McGeady has the ability to play in the Premier League, without question."

West Ham star Scott Parker is another who has been linked with a move to Villa Park, but Hammers co-owner David Sullivan this week said their rivals would "not have enough money" to tempt them to sell the 29-year-old.