Martin O'Neill insists there was no bust-up with Aston
Villa owner Randy Lerner over reports that James Milner was to join
Manchester United.
And, while there has been speculation over his own future,
O'Neill is also adamant that Lerner is not set to quit the midlands
club.
O'Neill said: "There was a story that I had fallen out with the
chairman because of a supposedly imminent transfer of James Milner
to Manchester United.
"James would be worthy of playing in a side like that. I
wouldn't think for one minute that top clubs wouldn't be interested
in James Milner.
"He has been splendid for us this season but there is not one
ounce of truth in the story. It is ludicrous."
O'Neill has spent a net £80million on new players in his four
years at Villa.
He believes those players have increased significantly in value
should Lerner ever decide he wants to leave Villa.
But O'Neill is confident that is far from the case with Lerner
who also owns NFL side Cleveland Browns.
He said: "Since I arrived here four years ago, I've invested £80
million of the chairman's money and if he wanted to sell some of
those assets - which he has not intimated at all - he would get
that money back, and with a bit of interest as well.
"If you wanted to let four or five of the top quality players
leave this club, you would get your money back but that has not
been Randy's notion and I think he is trying to think about
improving Villa Park as well.
"I don't think he is ready to walk away or worry himself unduly
about his investment at all because he knows it is there on the
pitch. We have a number of top quality players at this club."
