Aston Villa sign Milner on four-year deal

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Aston Villa have won the race to sign Newcastle United winger James Milner after agreeing a four-year deal with the England Under 21 international.

Milner underwent a medical at Bodymoor Heath, and has made the move from the north-east for a fee believed to be in the region of £10million.

Everton made a late attempt to hijack the deal by matching Villa's offer, after missing out on Albert Riera and Shaun Wright-Phillips, but Villa Park was the 22-year-old's preferred destination.

O'Neill has been keen to land a right winger all summer, with central midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker currently filling the role on the right side of a diamond formation.

The Villa boss attempted to sign Milner two years ago in his first summer in charge, for around half of the price, after Milner had enjoyed a successful loan spell during David O'Leary's reign - but Newcastle pulled the plug on the deal at the 11th hour.

Milner signed a new four-year contract last summer with the Magpies, but last week handed in a transfer request.

The Magpies infuriated Milner's representatives when they made his intentions public on Wednesday and the youngster will now line up with fellow U21 internationals Gabby Agbonlahor, Craig Gardner and Curtis Davies.

Milner becomes O'Neill's seventh signing of the summer and will further bolster the squad after they booked a place in the first round proper of the UEFA Cup for the first time in seven years.
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