Ashley's representatives to meet with Villa today

[JJ-AV]

James Milner's move from Aston Villa to Manchester City is finally expected to go through in the next 24 hours now the England midfielder has returned from international duty.

But the midlands club will today meet representatives of winger Ashley Young in a bid to convince him to stay at Villa Park in the wake of interest from Tottenham.

Young has two years left of his current deal and is one of Villa's highest earners with a salary of more than £60,000 a week.

He impressed when setting up both goals for skipper Steven Gerrard in England's 2-1 win over Hungary at Wembley last night.

Villa want Young to sign a long-term deal, but that would only happen with a sizeable wage increase and assurances over the future ambitions.

Club owner Randy Lerner has also made it clear he wants to restore the club to an even financial keel.

Tottenham would probably have to match the £20million-plus deal Villa have agreed with City for Milner to have a chance of landing Young.

Milner's switch to Eastlands would also include City midfielder Stephen Ireland heading in the opposite direction.

Lerner conceded that sorting out the Milner transfer was part of his "immediate focus".

The deal will represent a handsome profit for Villa, who signed Milner for a club record £12million from Newcastle two years ago.

But it was Lerner's decision not to make all the funds available to Martin O'Neill from the Milner transfer for new players which led to the Northern Irishman quitting Villa on Monday.

The American businessman revealed differences in opinion on how to take the club forward led to O'Neill walking out after four years.

Lerner in a media statement, said: "Having had some time to reflect on Martin leaving, I can say that our most immediate focus is supporting (caretaker boss) Kevin MacDonald and resolving the situation with Manchester City and James Milner.

"As for explaining why Martin left, I can say only that we no longer shared a common view as to how to move forward.

"To deal in greater detail would do little but cause additional distraction for the club as it faces imminent games and the clear priority of hiring a permanent manager."

Villa may give caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald an elongated stint in charge as they seek the right replacement for O'Neill.

They have been showered with applications but are determined to make sure the ideal appointment is made.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has been installed as the new favourite with the bookmakers, although there has been no contact between the Swede and Villa.

Lerner has sufficient faith in reserve-team coach MacDonald not to feel the need to make a hasty appointment.

He will be in charge for Saturday's home Barclays Premier League opener with West Ham but could also take the reins for the Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna next week.

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2010/08/12/james-milnerm-to-leave-aston-villa-club-to-meet-with-ashley-young-66331-27049069/

Looks like this interest is real.

Ashley must be kept. This isn't like Milner or Barry. He's the poster boy for the new Villa.

To one of the big 3 or Liverpool, yes. Citeh yes for a Milner type fee. But to Spurs for £20million? No chance.

We can't let it happen.

[manic-road]

Hope it's more bullshit being banded around about Ash

[Guy M]

I'd say this belongs in here for the time being. Up to each poster to decide then whether they consider it rumour or just plain bullsh*t.

[garyfouroaks]

Ashley must be kept. This isn't like Milner or Barry. He's the poster boy for the new Villa.

To one of the big 3 or Liverpool, yes. Citeh yes for a Milner type fee. But to Spurs for £20million? No chance.

We can't let it happen.

I agree that Young should be kept. But sadly the reason why City are buying Milner, and not Young, is that Milner is the better player.

[Villa'Zawg]

Scene - A meeting room at VP

Faulkner: OK, let's get started. Why are we here today?
Ashley Young: We're going to talk about increasing my wages and extending my contract.
Faulkner: Riiiiight"....

[Ger Regan]

If he's on around 60k a week, then isn't that pretty much as good as he's going to get at spurs, isn't it? Don't they have a strict wage structure in place?

[TRO]

Some unknown didnt wish to be named due to his profession, stated on Radio WM the other night that Ash had sold his house in Pedmore (Stourbridge) 3 weeks ago ?

This if true, is probably why MON walked.

[Oscar Arce]

I can't shake the feeling that, only a few weeks ago, MON said if Ashley Young was to be sold, he would resign. No-one else remember that ?

[eastie]

if ash expresses that he wants to go then he will go, maybe he will use mons departure as a reason but hes a london lad and the lure of the champions league could swing it . maybe chelsea would be his more likely destination though than spurs , although hodgson seems keen too.

if sven comes id expect him to try and get crouch , jenas as part of any deal maybe , but i wouldnt expect ash to be sold before we appoint a new manager.

if that is the case it would probably mean we are looking ambitions of being a top 10 club rather than a top 6 club , and would be a huge let down.

[placeforparks]

and yet ashley young was talking about a new deal when we played peterborough a couple of weeks ago?

these talks may have been arranged weeks ago.

i know ashley had an affinity with MON, but if he doesn't want to commit, he can piss off and do a david bentley.

[PaulTheVillan]

Hopefully it's to talk about the new contract he wanted.

[Tom_Mc9?]

At least we still have Downing.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I smell Bullshit

[TaxDodger]

Young to Tottenham would be the worst transfer in the history of transfers.

[Chris Smith]

If he feels that we're not going to sign the players that will give us a realistic go at getting into the CL then he might decide he fancies going to a club that will.