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Manager David O'Leary confirmed during the season that he would like Milner to join the club permanently, but doubted he would be given the opportunity to sign him.<ref>{{cite web |last=Livie |first=Alex |title=O'Leary expects to lose Milner |publisher=Sky Sports |date=24 November 2005 |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_2355212,00.html |accessdate=30 July 2007 }}</ref> He even pulled out of signing [[Robert Huth]] so that he would have the funds to sign Milner permanently if the opportunity arose.<ref>{{cite web |last=Buckingham |first=Mark |title=Villa out of Huth chase |publisher=Sky Sports |date=23 December 2005 |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_2358958,00.html |accessdate=30 July 2007 }}</ref> Shortly before the end of his loan period, negotiations between Villa and Newcastle began.
The newly appointed Newcastle manager [[Glenn Roeder]] appeared to appreciate Milner's ability more than Souness and expressed a desire that he remain a Newcastle player.<ref>{{cite web |title=Glenn Roeder has again said that James Milner's future lies at St James' Park |publisher=fansfc.com |date=27 June 2006 |url=http://www.fansfc.com/newcastlefootballclub/news.asp?newsid=154475 |accessdate=26 January 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060709163408/http://www.fansfc.com/newcastlefootballclub/news.asp?newsid=154475 |archivedate=9 July 2006 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> This, as well as the departure of O'Leary and the shortage of transfer funds at Villa, meant that a deal to sign Milner permanently seemed unlikely.<ref>{{cite news |title=Milner move to Villa is in doubt |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5003814.stm |accessdate=17 October 2007 }}</ref> In June, it became even less likely when Villa rejected an offer of Milner as part of a trade for [[Gareth Barry]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Phil |title=Villa no to Barry-Milner swap |publisher=Sky Sports |date=14 June 2006 |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_2380236,00.html |accessdate=30 July 2007 }}</ref> However, the deal was resurrected when Villa were taken over by American billionaire [[Randy Lerner]], and [[Martin O'Neill]] was appointed as new Villa manager.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} Villa made an improved offer on 30 August, which was accepted by Newcastle chairman [[Freddy Shepherd]].{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} Media sources quoted the transfer fee as being £4 million.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} A move to Villa appeared to have been agreed, but at the last moment Newcastle recalled Milner and the talks broke down.<ref name="Roeder">{{cite web |last=Buckingham |first=Mark |title=Roeder backs Milner stance |publisher=Sky Sports |date=31 August 2006 |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_2388251,00.html |accessdate=11 August 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=O'Neill upset over Milner episode |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5306302.stm |accessdate=17 October 2007}}</ref>
====Return to Newcastle United====
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Milner, in his time at the club, was described on the Newcastle United official website as "a good reader of the game".<ref name="nufc">{{cite web |title=Profile |publisher=Newcastle United F.C. |url=http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10278~23079,00.html |accessdate=29 July 2007}}</ref> This awareness allows him to pass the ball from a range of positions to teammates making forward runs, as well as giving him the confidence to take on defenders.<ref name="everything2"/> His awareness and willingness to pass have been called mature for a player of his age.<ref name="Chelsea"/>
Milner has expressed a willingness to play as much as possible<ref>{{cite web |url=http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/newcastleunited/journalsport/tm_method=full%26objectid=19609527%26siteid=50081-name_page.html |title=Milner: I've hated the long wait |publisher=icnetwork |date=11 August 2007 |accessdate=13 August 2007}}</ref> and feels that Wayne Rooney's move to Manchester United and success as a player has taken a lot of pressure off his own career, commenting, "I have been able to concentrate on football and ignore everything else".<ref name="Rooney"/> During his career, Milner has been [[Misconduct (football)|booked]] 15 times and been sent off once, against West Bromwich Albion on 20 October 2012.<ref name="footballanorak">{{cite web |title=James Milner News and Statistics |publisher=footballanorak |url=http://www.footballanorak.com/James-Milner-pid-670.html |accessdate=31 July 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66o2nLIaQ?url=http://www.footballanorak.com/James-Milner-pid-670.html |archivedate=9 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
Despite being a winger by trade, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill stated in November 2009 that he thought Milner's versatility could lead to him becoming an accomplished central midfielder at some point in his career.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} Milner played in a number of different positions for Aston Villa, including both wings, in central midfield and even as a right back.<ref>{{cite news |title=James Milner puts himself forward to go back into defence for England boss Fabio Capello |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1254639/James-Milner-puts-forward-defence-England-boss-Fabio-Capello.html |newspaper=Daily Mail |location=London |date=1 March 2010 |accessdate=3 December 2011}}{{Unreliable source?|date=April 2017}}</ref>
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