MILNER PLEASED WITH VILLA PROGRESS

By Ryan Ghee
November 28 2005

Aston Villa's on-loan midfielder James Milner believes the team is finally showing what they are capable of and has revealed his pleasure at playing such an active role so far this season.

The England Under 21 international has been a permanent fixture in O'Leary's starting eleven this season, something which he hasn't experienced since his days with the same boss at Leeds United.

Speaking after Villa's first back-to-back Premiership victories in more than a year, Milner commented, "When you play every week you get more confidence and it's a great feeling - everyone wants to play every week.

"That's what happened to me at Leeds and to do it at Villa is a great opportunity for me. Hopefully, I'm taking that opportunity, learning and putting in some good performances.

"It helps when you're winning games and after beating Sunderland, we were on a high and had a good week's training."

The youngster summed up the positive attitude and belief which has recently found its way into the Villa camp by adding, "I think this is the real Villa we are seeing now."