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Milner praises impact of O'Neill

Aston Villa's James Milner
Milner scored the opening goal at Blackburn on Saturday

Aston Villa winger James Milner has praised manager Martin O'Neill after six of the club's players were named in the England squad to face Spain.

Milner, who has 40 Under-21 caps, was selected by Fabio Capello after scoring in Villa's 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers.

"It's great credit to the lads, Villa and the manager putting his faith in English players," he told BBC Sport.

"He's brought some young English players and what a great job he's done. His track record speaks for itself."

Milner said he has noticed the improvement in several of the Villa players between his first loan spell at Villa Park under David O'Leary and his return this season.

"The first time I was at Villa, Gabby [Agbonlahor] was in and out of the team, he wasn't really featuring too much.

If you're not improving and playing your best football at a club like this, at a time like now, you're going to struggle anywhere

James Milner

"I've come back a couple of years later and what a great player he's turned into and how much he's improved. Aspects of his game have got better and better.

"[Ashley] Young's signed and just come on leaps and bounds and forced his way into the England squad."

Milner said much of Villa's success this season can be put down to the intelligent way in which the club is run and stability behind the scenes.

"I'm very lucky to be at Aston Villa, it's a good club moving in the right direction.

"And I'm lucky to be working with top-quality players, day-in day-out, and also the coaching staff as well.

"I think you can see the confidence he [Martin O'Neill] puts in all the players, the run we've been on this season shows what confidence there is in the team.

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"I've played a lot of football, even though I'm relatively young, and worked under a lot of managers at a lot of clubs.

"Sometimes it's not easy changing manager, and changing the way you play.

"Coming to Aston Villa has given me stability, it's a very stable club at the moment. The owner knows what he wants and the manager and the owner work very well together.

"The structure all the way through is very good and with that stability you know where you stand, it helps you to just think about your football with no off-the-field distractions.

"If you're not improving and playing your best football at a club like this, at a time like now, you're going to struggle anywhere."

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see also
Ferdinand prepares for Spain test
09 Feb 09 |  Internationals
Luke Young out of Spain friendly
09 Feb 09 |  Internationals
Blackburn 0-2 Aston Villa
07 Feb 09 |  Premier League
Aston Villa seal Milner transfer
29 Aug 08 |  Aston Villa


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