Martin O'Neill: No guarantees, but it's looking increasingly like Manchester City target James Milner will stay at Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is increasingly hopeful that James Milner will remain at the club next season, although he admits he "cannot guarantee" suitors Manchester City will not snare their man before the transfer window shuts.

Milner has been pursued for much of the off-season by City boss Roberto Mancini and is expected to be a Citizen by the start of the Premier League campaign - even though the Eastlands club had an opening £20 million bid for the player rejected by Villa in May.

O'Neill is unsure whether City will return with an improved offer, but drew parallels with the 2008 saga surrounding form Villan Gareth Barry — where strong links with Liverpool eventually floundered, with the midfielder eventually joined City a year later.

"The latest stage of play seems to be Man City feel as if they have gone as far as they want to but we will wait with baited breath on that one," O'Neill told the club's official website.

"But I think obviously the overriding opinion of all Villa fans is that they would love James to stay at the football club. But as I speak here now at this minute, my honest opinion, I cannot guarantee that but we will see.

"We had a situation a couple of seasons ago with Gareth and, of course, it doesn't help preparations but that's the way it is now."

O’Neill, who is keen to retain Milner’s services, has no doubts about the former Leeds United and Newcastle United midfielder’s mental attitude should the deal fail to materialise.

“There is no question that James Milner will continue to give his best if the deal doesn't go through,” O’Neill said after his side’s 2-1 pre-season victory over Walsall on Tuesday.

"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."

Milner, who won the PFA young player of the year award last term after an outstanding season, is due to link up with the rest of the Villa squad on Thursday when the club fly out to Portugal for a pre-season tournament.

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