MILNER REQUEST ALERTS VILLA

Milner - wants to leave Newcastle.

Aston Villa are expected to step up their bid to sign Newcastle's want-away winger James Milner, who has handed in a transfer request.

Villa are already believed to have had one offer, in the region of £9m, rejected for the England Under-21 player.

Now the midlands club look set to renew their attempts to sign a player who spent the 2005-2006 campaign on loan at Villa Park.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill thought he had landed Milner two years ago after agreeing a fee for the former Leeds star.

But Newcastle stopped the deal going through at the 11th hour and Milner returned to the North East, and last summer signed a new four-year deal.

Now the 22-year-old has made it clear he wants to leave the Magpies with his official request.

O'Neill is maintaining his policy of making no comment about potential signings until they are completed.

But he did admit: "I will tell you that we are very keen to try and strengthen our side between now and transfer deadline day.

"I am sure I could get one or two in anyway but it is just adding the sort of quality that I would want - and that is exactly what I will be trying to do.

"Am I a fan of Milner? He was nearly here two years ago.

"He nearly signed two years ago but it didn't materialise. But I never think anything is done and dusted until anything happens.

"So many things have happened to me as a player and as a manager that I would never take anything for granted. It was disappointing at the time but it was two years ago."

Milner's possible arrival would give Villa the balance on the right flank they have been lacking with central midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker filling the role against Stoke before Wayne Routledge came on as a substitute.

The Professional Footballers' Association are standing by Milner over his decision to hand in a transfer request.

Milner signed a four-year contract last summer and a statement from Newcastle said they were "very disappointed" he wanted to move from St James' Park.

The Magpies revealed they would "reluctantly consider" the request, which the player, according to PFA chief executive Mick McGuire, handed in because he feels he is worthy of an extended and improved deal.

Milner's situation was believed to be on the agenda at a meeting between manager Kevin Keegan and owner Mike Ashley with Michael Owen's contract also thought to be up for discussion.

Winger Milner, 22 - who has been linked with Liverpool and Aston Villa - is represented by the PFA and McGuire insisted the organisation wanted to keep the player's request quiet before United made the news public on Wednesday morning.

"The PFA, who represent James Milner, are disappointed that information regarding his request for a move, and the circumstances surrounding it, have come to the public's attention, and we feel we have no option but to respond," McGuire said on the PFA's website, www.givemefootball.com.

"The facts are that James' transfer request was actually handed in on Wednesday, August 20, at which point it was asked by Newcastle to keep the matter private.

"The request was given because the player was looking for an improvement on his contract that reflected his development and his value to the club.

"There was a meeting between the owner and all relevant people at the club today when we believed James' request was to be discussed."

McGuire continued: "To clarify the situation, James did sign a contract 12 months ago.

"However, this agreement was reached with the club nearly 12 months previous at the point at which Newcastle had agreed to sell James to Aston Villa on transfer deadline day 2006 before cancelling the agreement at the 11th hour.

"Since then he has played over 80 games for Newcastle. All James wanted was a deal that reflected his development and that was in line with Newcastle's transfer valuation of him.

"Whilst James does have three years left on his current agreement, it is common practice that when a young player signs a long-term contract, this is reviewed and improved on a regular basis with a player's development, but equally it protects the club's position in regard to their transfer value.

"Although the transfer request was handed in seven days ago, James has been professional in keeping the matter private whilst giving strong performances for Newcastle."

Milner spent the 2005-06 season on loan at Villa Park and could be set for a return to the midlands side, although Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is also keen on the player.

Newcastle's valuation may put Benitez off pursuing the transfer, although Milner has impressed in all three of Newcastle's games this season and scored in the Magpies' 3-2 win over Coventry in the Carling Cup second round on Tuesday night.