The England international finally completed his protracted move to Eastlands late on Wednesday after a summer of speculation which has dominated the back pages.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the mega-rich club after his reported £24million transfer was completed, a move which saw Stephen Ireland go the other way and join Aston Villa (11/8 – 90 minutes v Rapid Vienna).

The former Leeds and Newcastle midfielder becomes City’s sixth major signing of the summer with Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balottelli having already completed multi-million pound moves to Eastlands.

Milner is likely to have a real battle on his hands to secure a regular starting sport in Mancini’s side, despite having been a vital cog in the Villa machine for the past two years.

However, Milner is adaptable and is able to play anywhere in midfield having featured for Villa and Newcastle out wide and in the centre of the park.

Milner insists the best is yet to come from him and believes this move will stand him a good chance of securing trophies for years to come, including his ultimate goal, the Premier League.

“It didn’t take too much selling by the boss when you see the players who are already here and the plans for the club,” he told City’s official website.

“The last thing he said to me was ‘be ready for the next game’, and then he said ‘be ready to win the Premier League’, and that’s my ultimate aim – that’s what I want to do and why I’m here.

“I’m ambitious and I want to win trophies here. I believe this is a great place to do that and I believe we will do it. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”

Having only completed his move late on Wednesday Milner will play no part in City’s Europa League play-off clash with FC Timisoara (4/1 – 90 minutes v City) with the rest of the team having flown out to Romania the same day.

Milner is more likely to make his debut in the massive game against Liverpool at Eastlands on Monday night, when City will be looking to lay down a marker against one of their top-four rivals.

Thursday’s European game represents more of a distraction for City than anything else with the club’s owners keen for them to at least secure Champions League football this season.

Even a weakened side City should have too much firepower for their opponents, especially since Timisoara have struggled in recent European outings, scoring nine goals in their last 15 matches.

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Aston Villa

Villa were held to a goalless draw by Spanish side Valencia on Friday in their latest pre-season friendly and Milner was left out of the squad with question marks over his future.

The former Newcastle and Leeds star has expressed his desire to join mega-rich City, who are 13/8 to be top north west club this season, ahead of the new campaign and O’Neill is ready to reluctantly accept that outcome.

“We didn’t play him primarily because there could be something happening in terms of the transfer,” O’Neill said after the Valencia game.

“I thought it would be the best thing to do not to play him in case something develops over the weekend or Monday or Tuesday.”

Milner is set to move to Eastlands in a deal that could see City midfielder Stephen Ireland go the other way with the Eastlands club also paying up to £25million for his services.

O’Neill was frank when asked about the situation and admitted it was probably best for all parties for the transfer to now go through as soon as possible.

“I think there’s been fresh contact,” he added. “I couldn’t tell you whether there’s been a renewed offer.

“I think there is something in that there now, yes (getting it concluded quickly). I agree.

“I think that’s for everyone’s benefit really, it’s probably time to get something done if it’s at all possible.”

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Aston Villa

The former Leeds United academy player has been linked all summer with a move to Eastlands and there have been suggestions that the attacking midfielder wants to leave Villa.

City had an initial £20m bid for Milner turned down as the Midlands club believe the player to be worth at least £24m.

Villa manager O’Neill has stated that the two clubs are at a stalemate over the player and is uncertain of what might happen in the future.

He said: “The latest state of play is Manchester City have gone as far as they want to.

“We’ll wait with baited breath on that one, myself included.”

Milner had an excellent season last year at Villa Park and was reported to have attracted interest from other Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United.

Villa will be desperate to keep hold of the England international who was one of only a few players to impress in the Three Lions’ dismal World Cup tournament.

O’Neill is keen to see the goalscoring midfielder as Villa (16/1 to win the FA Cup) continue to push for cup honours and compete in the top half of the Premier League.

He said: “I think obviously the overriding opinion of all Villa fans is that they would love James to stay at the football club.

“But as I speak here now at this minute, my honest opinion, I cannot guarantee that, but we will see.”

Villa have not yet made a move in the transfer market this summer and fans will be hoping the club can keep hold of their best players and add to the squad.

O’Neill is aiming to ensure that the likes of Ashley Young and Milner stay, but he does appreciate why players move on to the big clubs.

He said: “I can understand totally that players would be affected by offers from Manchester City, particularly in this day and age where it looks as if they can get who they want.”

Villa begin their Premier League campaign when they take on West Ham United at Villa Park on August 14.

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On Thursday, Villa boss Martin O’Neill admitted he would be willing to sell Milner if the club’s valuation of the player was met. In a statement on the club’s official website, he revealed that Milner and his agent came to see him before the World Cup to ask for a transfer away from Villa Park. Eastlands appears to be Milner’s most likely destination.

O’Neill’s announcement means that the ball is back in Manchester City’s court and it is believed that an offer of approximately £30million will be needed in order for them to land the winger. City had an offer of around £20million rejected in May.

Dunne made the opposite move last summer and accepts that Milner’s spell at Villa Park is most likely over. However, he has issued a stark warning to the player, urging him to think wisely before he leaves the Midlands club bound for City.

The issue is particularly personal to Dunne as he left Eastlands because City could not guarantee him the regular football he craved. Since moving to Villa, he has upped his game and has become an impressive stalwart in the side’s back line, making 35 league appearances for Martin O’Neill’s outfit last season.

Dunne told Sky Sports News that he fears the same situation could greet Milner as the one which forced him out of Eastlands. He also expressed a fear that City’s chances of winning the league could be blinding the player (City 4/1 to win Premier League).

He said; “Obviously we’ll miss James because he’s been brilliant, but we have to move on and the manager will build again.

“James will know that because he’s joining a big club, a club that wants to win the league, that he’ll be part of a squad.

“At Aston Villa he will play every week and at Manchester City he may not, but it’s an opportunity he probably thinks to go and win the league.”

It is believed that City will make their move soon but boss Roberto Mancini has given no indication over whether he will step up his attempts to sign Milner after O’Neill’s announcement.

Speaking during City’s pre-season tour of America, Mancini said; “Milner is a good player but today he is an Aston Villa player.

“If we have a chance we could take him, but we must wait for now.”

With City set to sign a raft of other stars between now and transfer deadline day, Dunne’s fears could be substantiated.

Milner was one of England’s few shining lights during the World Cup and the fear for fans of the national side is that a lack of first team football could be detrimental to his England form.

However, the meteoric rise of Adam Johnson at City proves that these fears may perhaps be unfounded. Only time will tell should Milner make the move he so desperately craves.

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Manchester City

City have made Milner one of their top targets of the summer and they have moved a step closer to landing him after Villa boss Martin O’Neill revealed he could leave if their valuation is met.

That may be easier said than done and City are said to be reluctant to meet the £30million price tag that has been placed on the England international’s head, but for the first time Villa have revealed there is a deal to be done.

City may have money to burn but Roberto Mancini is not willing to pay over the odds and may not be willing to go over the £25million mark, for a player who cost Villa £12million when they signed him from Newcastle two years ago.

The Eastlands outfit are believed to have failed with at least one bid and it will now be interesting to see if they react to O’Neill’s comments by making a new, improved bid.

O’Neill would clearly like to keep the midfielder but he is wise enough to know that every player has a price and if City are willing to pay big bucks then it will be best to take the cash and use it to strengthen his own squad.

The Villa boss will also be reluctant to keep an unhappy player on his books and if Milner has made it clear that he wants to leave then it will be best for everyone if a deal can be hammered out quickly.

Milner wants to be playing Champions League football and even though that will not be on the agenda in the next campaign it should be the season after with City 1/2 to break into the top four.

For all Villa’s efforts over the last two seasons they have missed out on the top four and are way down in the betting at 15/2 to make it this season.

Milner clearly wants to move on to the next level and he will get the chance if City stump up the cash and meet Villa’s valuation.

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