O'Neill unsure over Milner

Martin O'Neill remains uncertain about whether Manchester City target James Milner will still be at Aston Villa this season.

Milner has intimated that he would like the opportunity to join City before the close of the transfer window and Villa are prepared to sell for the right price.

City have failed with one offer for the England international and O'Neill suggested last week that Villa's Premier League rivals are not currently prepared to meet the asking price.

The midfielder sat out Villa's friendly double-header in Portugal and, following a brief chat with chief executive Paul Faulkner, O'Neill confirmed there have been no developments.

"I only had a brief conversation with Paul today, and it was the briefest of briefs," O'Neill told Sky Sports News. "I don't think there's any more news to tell."

Regarding whether Milner would stay at Villa, O'Neill added: "I don't really know. I don't think at this stage I would be in a position to give you a definitive answer.

"Naturally I've said before that, almost everyone to a man, would want James to stay at the football club."

Back spasms

The Villa boss also felt it was not worth risking Milner's fitness in the games against Feyenoord and Benfica after he hurt his back in training.

He continued: "It is a problem really because we have been unable to get it sorted out for these couple of days.

"He had some back spasms, but he didn't have those when he arrived here, it was just in training the other day, so it was best not to have him involved."

O'Neill also refused to expand on rumours he could raid former club Celtic to bring winger Aiden McGeady to the Premier League.

He said: "I would not comment on other teams' players."