David O'Leary is confident everyone will benefit from James Milner's spell at Villa.
David O'Leary is confident everyone will benefit from James Milner's loan spell at Aston Villa.Milner has joined Villa on a season-long loan following a deal on transfer deadline day which saw Nolberto Solano return to Newcastle United.
England Under-21 international Milner will take Solano's place on the right flank at Villa and boss O'Leary is delighted with the signing.
O'Leary worked with the midfielder at Leeds United and is fully expecting Milner to improve for his year in the Midlands.
"I think we'll make James a better player," O'Leary told Sky Sports News.
"I think Newcastle can't lose out. I think he'll play a lot more games for us and he'll show people what a good players he is. He'll learn and get experience.
"I'm a big admirer of him. I wanted him badly. I've got him and I'm delighted to have got him for the next year. I don't think it'll do James any harm nor Newcastle any harm."
O'Leary also brought in another player he worked with at Elland Road when Eirik Bakke joined Villa on a loan basis.
Bakke has struggled with injuries during the past couple of seasons but O'Leary expects the Norway international to be a key player if he steers clear of fitness problems.
"If Eirik can stay fit, he'll be a very good player," added O'Leary. "What he needs is a long run of games.
"He's looking forward to the challenge. Ability wise he doesn't lack for that but what's disrupted his career, like Woodgate, is injuries.
"If they can get up to our fitness levels, particularly with Eirik, he'll prove a really good player on loan for us."
O'Leary also anticipates another of his summer signings to improve, despite Milan Baros scoring on his debut for the club.
He added: "I think he will get better.
"I think the way we play suits forwards and he'll enjoy that and give us an edge.
"It's something we've been lacking and that can only make us better at Villa."
