Villa Playing Russian Roulette?

David O’Leary has played down our chances of getting on-loan star James Milner on a permanent deal at the end of the season. I guess it will depend on several things, including whether the current manager is still in charge and whether we have a new board or not.

O’Leary said: ‘The board are aware of what I think of James Milner. He’s made a big impression this season. He’s popular with the supporters, he will get better, he’s a young lad and his value is bound to go up. I know all about his potential and if he came here he would be a big asset to Villa for a long, long time. But if I’m only going to have a budget of around £3 million this summer, then I’d struggle to get him.’

So, where has the talk of just £3million come from? He surely can’t have been told his budget for the summer yet? More talking down about the club or the stark reality? IF £3million is the budget – and banking on the Baggies, Blues or Pompey being worse than us meaning we avoid the drop this season, we would surely have played Russian Roulette once too often and we’ll be ‘enjoying’ cheaper ticket prices and different away venues from thereon in?

O’Leary added:

‘He would cost more than that. I would also have to look at the fact we need numbers all over the squad. I can’t afford to blow all my money on one player and not bring anyone else in. What we will be looking at more than anything is free transfers.’