Milner focused on Villa career

James Milner is focused on Aston Villa despite the managerial upheaval at Newcastle.

James Milner is focused on his Aston Villa career despite the managerial upheaval at parent club Newcastle.

Milner was shipped out on loan by Graeme Souness at the beginning of the season, but the former Leeds midfielder has grasped his opportunity to earn regular first team football at Villa Park.

With Scot Souness given his own marching orders by Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd, Milner could be excused for turning his thoughts to the possibility of furthering his career back on Tyneside.

But Milner's thoughts do not extend far beyond his next challenge as a Villa player - Middlesbrough at The Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

"There's obviously going to be a big change there with the manager but I'm here at Villa," Milner told Sky Sports News.

"I can't change anything that's happening at Newcastle

"I'm just concentrating on Villa and taking it each game at a time - the next game is Middlesbrough.

"I've had the chance to play every week at Villa. You can't show your best form, coming on in 30 minutes spells and playing every other week.

"It's been great to play every week with good players, learning every day, working hard in training with quality - you can't help but learn really."

Milner hopes his form for Villa can help fulfill England ambitions, with the tigerish star still not giving up all hope of forcing his way into Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad.

"Everyone wants to play at the highest level and I am no different. I want to get into the full England squad and play at the World Cup," added Milner.

"But if you start thinking about things like that at this stage it does no good. The main thing is that you get into the England team by playing well for
the under-21 side and with performances for your club.

"Obviously it will be difficult to make the England squad for Germany -  the manager near enough has his squad. For someone to get in now they'd have to have
a remarkable end to the season.

"But it has been shown it can happen as Wayne Rooney and Stuart Downing have proved.

"I have to keep working hard and improving and hopefully I will get there at some stage."