Milner request alerts Villa

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 £9million, 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."