Martin O’Neill is determined to secure James Milner to a new contract at Aston Villa Football Club.

The midfielder has enjoyed an excellent season so far which has brought praise from Sir Alex Ferguson, sparking speculation Manchester United could bid for him in the summer.

Milner is currently under contract at Villa Park until the summer of 2012, but O’Neill has revealed he plans to talk to the player in the summer over a new deal.

"I said to James couple of months ago that we would sit down in the summer about a new contract,” he said. "He is playing so well, it would be important that we do something if we can.

“By the time the summer arrives, he would be exactly halfway through his contract so it is not a bad time to do something. We will sit down in the summer, I said that way back before January.”

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