Milner helps England progress.
James Milner played a big part this afternoon helping England qualify for the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
There was a few question marks as to weather Jimmy should of started as many wanted to see Joe Cole start but Fabio Capello went with his instincts and it paid of very well.
Milner got himself a assist when he crossed a fantastic ball across goal for Jermaine Defoe to score the one and only goal of the afternoon.
Many including Sky Sports also gave our very own Jimmy man of the match with them describing him as outstanding.
England finished 2nd in the group after Landon Donavon scored a last minute goal for the USA so they topped the group on goals scored.
Emile Heskey also featured in the game as he came of the bench for the last 10 minutes.
WC 2010: England 1 USA 1
James Milner and Emile Heskey both featured in England’s opener against the USA last night.
England took the lead early on when Emile Heskey sent Steven Gerrard through who fired home after just six minutes.
However, USA were back on level terms when a Clint Dempsey’s poor shot somehow stumbled under Rob Green.
James Milner only managed 30 minutes, weather this had something to do with his yellow card or the fact he still didn’t look 100% after his illness this week. I personally it was a bit of both. He looked of the pace and not the James Milner we have grown very fond of here at Aston Villa.
Emile Heskey on the other hand had a fantastic game and was my man of the match. His work rate was second to none and some pundits even stated it was his best game in a England shirt.
Next up for England is is Algeria next Friday.
The World Cup, Prediction League and Transfer Rumours..
With the World Cup just a matter of days away now there isn’t much football talk relating to Aston Villa at the moment because as you would expect its more about the biggest sports competition on the planet.
Incase you wasnt already aware we will be covering games on Avillafan.com that features Aston Villa players so this place will still be active.
If you havent already check out and join our brand new World Cup Prediction League where you have the opurtunity to win a World Cup replica shirt of your choice, sponsored by Soccerpro’s World Cup Jerseys
Transfer Rumours
As I already stated there isn’t a lot to write about on this front. We have been linked with a possible move for Martin Petrov who has been released from his contract at Man City – a player I wouldn’t mind being given a short term contract.
‘Arry Redknapp is reportedly willing to offer around £10million and Robbie Keane to take Gabby Agbonlahor of us which I don’t think will be happening any time soon seeing as Gabby is one of O’Neill’s golden boys.
England v Allstars
James Milner, Stephen Warnock and Emile Heskey all featured in Englands 3-0 victory over local South African side Platinum Allstars yesterday afternoon.
All three played the second half and now many believe Heskey will be the player to start along side Wayne Rooney against the USA on Saturday.
England’s goals come from Jermaine Defoe, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney.
Capello picks Villa trio
Fabio Capello today named James Milner, Stephen Warnock and Emile Heskey in his final 23 man squad that will travel to South Africa this week and try to win the 2010 World Cup.
This is the first time in history that Aston Villa will have three players representing England in the worlds biggest competition.
James Milner was always expected to be included in the squad because of his fantastic season, Capello’s remarks about him and of course how versatile he is.
Emile Heskey isn’t everybody’s cup of tea when it comes to Villa, let alone England but I firmly believe he brings the best out of Wayne Rooney and he will be the player that will win us the World Cup so I’m all for Emile going to South Africa.
The real surprise came when Stephen Warnock was picked instead of Everton’s Leighton Baines. Baines featured in 2 pre-world cup friendlies while Warnock didn’t feature at all and it looked certain that Warnock wouldn’t be going.
Weather we agree with Fabio or not – his squad is picked now and in ten days time we will all stand as one to support our nation.
Here is the squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham)
Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).
Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).
Dunne wants Ireland, Warnock thinks we will lose Milner.
The internet and the paper are just full of what two of our players think and want this summer.
First of all it is not good when a player of our own club comes out and states that he believes we will lose James Milner this summer.
It make’s me wonder if he’s heard or seen something in the England Camp this past week or so for him to believe this but he should be keeping his mouth shut and concentrating on trying to force his way into the England setup especially after Leighton Baines poor performance last night against Mexico.
I often wonder why players are aloud to talk so much in the press and it annoys the hell out of me, but eh? I’m just a football fan and I don’t run a football club so what do I know? Saying that it gives me something to write about here I suppose.
Stephen Ireland
Now there are rumours around that Stephen Ireland has handed in a transfer request to seek first team football elsewhere but I have searched everywhere and I can’t seem to find anything official on this.
Anyway, Richard Dunne has stated that he would welcome Stephen Ireland to Aston Villa with open arms and If Martin O’Neill is interested I think Dunne could just be the reason why Ireland joins Aston Villa.
But you have to question at what cost though? Would Man City want to sell to us unless we allowed James Milner to move in the other direction? They have been linked with a move for Mikel Arteta today and again it makes you wonder if they have given up on Milner and are looking elsewhere but I can’t see Arteta leaving Everton as he seem’s to be very loyal towards David Moyes.
So as much as we keep talking about in’s and out’s and our neighbours across the City look to be on the verge of signing there second player already this summer we still sit around waiting for some kind of news to come out of Villa Park.
