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O'Neill praise for match-winner Milner
08:45, Mar 17 2010
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill hailed midfielder James Milner as "sensational" after a devastating performance at Wigan.
The England World Cup hopeful marked an outstanding second-half performance by firing a winner which lifted Villa firmly into top-four contention in the Barclays Premier League. Milner struck just after the hour at the DW Stadium to settle an absorbing contest after Wigan's Gary Caldwell had cancelled out an own goal from James McCarthy.
"It was an extraordinary performance by a really good player," said O'Neill.
"Since he has stepped into central midfield his game has improved tenfold and he continues to go from strength to strength.
"When you play wide you depend on other people giving you the ball to get into the game but when you have got that determination and energy, you might as well use it in the centre of the field.
"It is something we have been crying out for, a midfielder scoring double figures, and he has been sensational."
Villa remain seventh but victory moved them within three points of fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.
O'Neill added: "It was important for us to close the gap. We did that and it was a brilliant win for us."
Milner has revelled in a central midfield role since Stewart Downing recovered from a long-term injury in December. He is one player O'Neill has no doubts would grace the Champions League should Villa secure fourth.
He said: "He is ready for it but he is not only ready for that, if things still go all right and he stays clear of injury there is no reason why he cannot be participating for his national team."
