James Milner to thrash out Villa future

James Milner will leave for home today and attempt to put his England World Cup failure to one side by thrashing out his Villa future.

With England's involvement in South Africa ended by yesterday's humiliating 4-1 thrashing by Germany, Villa's battle to hold on to their prize asset will be brought back into sharp focus with Manchester City poised to resume their attempts to land the 24-year-old.

Having already seen their opening offer of £20m rejected, a second bid closer to Villa's £30m valuation could even arrive later this week with City eager to wrap up a deal before they head off on pre-season tour of the United States a fortnight today.

Villa have not given up hope of persuading the PFA Young Player of the Year, who has two years to run on his existing contract, to sign the bumper deal worth around £70,000 a week they put on the table before the World Cup. But, should that fail, they are determined to hold out for £30m.

A game of transfer 'cat and mouse' reminiscent of the Gareth Barry saga between Villa and Liverpool two years ago remains a distinct possibility if neither team budges in their valuation.

And weekend reports claimed the £12m club record signing, who featured in three of England's four games in South Africa, is prepared to hand in a transfer request if Villa attempt to block a move.

A devastated Milner admitted England came up short. "We came here with high expectations and are disappointed to go out," he said.

"We have not performed like we can. But you have to look forward and we move on. We put them (Germany) under pressure at the start of the second half and were on the front foot. We hit the bar as well and had that gone in, who knows what might have happened.

Elsewhere, John Carew will seek contract discussions with Villa when he returns to training next month. The striker has one year remaining on his existing deal.