Last updated: 25th September 2008
Milner: Key man for O'Neill
Martin O'Neill has reassured James Milner that he has a major part to play in his plans at Aston Villa, despite using the winger sparingly since his £12million move from Newcastle.
Milner completed his switch to the Midlands prior to the closure of the transfer window but has yet to win a regular place in O'Neill's starting XI.
The cup-tied winger missed Wednesday night's shock Carling Cup defeat to QPR and is likely to have to content himself with a place on the bench for Saturday's meeting with Sunderland.
O'Neill, though, is insistent that a player he had long-since coveted before securing his services, will establish himself as a regular before too long.
"We went into the West Brom game with the same side as against Tottenham the previous Monday and the same side as against Liverpool - but James will play," said O'Neill. "Don't worry about that.
"We've got another 1,000 games to play. James didn't sign for a month and a half! He will play and so will Carlos Cuellar and so will some of the other people we have signed.
"James couldn't play against QPR because he was cup-tied. I get asked 'where I am I going to fit James in.'
"It is a nice problem to have. But he will play. He didn't come here to sit on the bench - but it is a nice problem to have."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Aston Villa vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man City |
| 17:30 | Stoke vs Liverpool |
| Sunday 11th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Wigan vs Tottenham |
| 16:00 | Man Utd vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 14th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Wigan |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Middlesbrough |
| 17:30 | Hull vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 18th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | West Ham vs Fulham |
| 16:00 | Tottenham vs Portsmouth |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 29th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Fulham 2 - 2 Chelsea | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Everton 3 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| West Brom 2 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Bolton 0 - 1 Wigan | |
| Newcastle 1 - 5 Liverpool | |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton | |
| Wigan 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Everton | |
| Man City 5 - 1 Hull | |
| Sunderland 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Portsmouth 1 - 4 West Ham | |
| Tottenham 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Stoke 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
Ed Chamberlin sees United and Chelsea cancelling each other out on Sunday, while racing feels the freeze.
Paul Merson expects strugglers West Brom and Spurs to lose to Aston Villa and Wigan this weekend.
Nigel Clough's appointment as Derby manager sees him follow in the footsteps of his legendary father Brian.
Paul Ince insists he is ready to return to football management should a suitable opportunity arise.
Stoke City have completed the signing of Matthew Etherington, while Charles N'Zogbia claims Aston Villa and Spurs want him.
Mark Hughes has revealed that Manchester City have seen a 'substantial' bid for Roque Santa Cruz knocked back.
Newcastle star Charles N'Zogbia claims Aston Villa and Tottenham are chasing his signature.
Midfielder Lucas Leiva believes Liverpool can beat anyone as they target the Premier League title.