Milner demands crunch Villa talks BEFORE World Cup - Exclusive

James Milner wants crunch talks with Aston Villa BEFORE the World Cup to resolve his future after Man City firmed up their interest in him.

Mega-rich City have had an opening £20million bid rejected for Villa midfielder Milner after the star's superb season.

And Milner,24, now wants Villa to either convince him of the club's ambitions and tie him to a new contract - or let him to go City for around £30million.

Milner is attempting to arrange collective talks with Villa boss Martin O'Neill, owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Falkener before jetting to South Africa.

But the ace only has three days off before England fly to South Africa on World Cup duty.

He is anxious to leave for this summer's tournament with his future mapped out so he can concentrate on England.

Milner is indebted to O'Neill for helping progress his career since joining from Newcastle in August 2008 for £12million.

And he now has just two years left on his £45,000-a-week contract at Villa Park.

Villa want Milner to pen a new deal after the World Cup to make him their new highest earner above Ashley Young on £65,000-a-week.

And Milner is willing to discuss new terms providing the club still have realistic ambitions of making the top four and the Champions League.

But the star has been alarmed by Lerner's recent admission Villa must now sell-to-buy.

And he knows he could eclipse his salary by switching to Eastlands where significantly his silverware prospects would also be greater.

But he is represented by the PFA and they are determined to avoid any acrimonious negotiations.