Nationality: English
Date of Birth: 4 January 1986 (Leeds)
Previous Clubs: Leeds United, Swindon Town (loan), Newcastle United
Position: Midfielder

James Milner returned to Villa on 29 August 2008, signing from Newcastle United in a transfer deal reported to be worth £12 million – a new club record. James had previously spent the 2005-06 season on loan at Villa during David O’Leary’s time as manager. Leeds-born Milner had previously played under O’Leary at his boyhood club, Leeds United.

O’Leary had wanted to sign Milner on a permanent basis for Villa but funds were not available. When Martin O’Neill took over as Villa manager in August 2006 in the new ‘Randy Lerner era’, he tried to retain Milner and a fee of around £5 million was agreed. The deal was about to go through on the transfer deadline day in August 2006 – Milner was reportedly at Villa Park finalizing the details when a telephone call came through from the Newcastle chairman cancelling the deal!

During James’ loan spell with Villa, he was a popular figure with the fans and he made 33 appearances in all competitions. His debut was on 12 September 2006, away to West Ham United – a game which Villa lost 4-0. Five days’ later, he scored his first Villa goal in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park. Another three days’ later, James scored two more goals in an 8-3 away win at Wycombe Wanderers in the second round of the League (Carling) Cup. But James scored no further goals in the remaining 30 appearances he made for Villa that season.

James has been capped 37 times for the England Under 21 team. He has also been capped for England at Under 17, 19 and 20 levels.

His return to Villa on a permanent basis is particularly welcome as Villa have been without a natural right-sided winger since he left.

[Frank Antram, 31 August 2008]
Photo: Birmingham Post