Milner: I Was Undervalued By Newcastle and Had to Leave

James Milner last night accused Newcastle United of undervaluing his contribution after he completed a £12m move to Aston Villa, taking Martin O'Neill's spending this summer to around £48m. The England Under-21 international said that Newcastle's asking price was not reflected in his salary at St James' Park and insisted there was "never" any indication the club were willing to discuss a new contract.

"I enjoyed every minute at Newcastle and working with the manager," said Milner. "But the way things were going, I knew offers had come in over the summer and the club had turned them down. Their valuation of me wasn't reflected in the deal I was on. Speaking to Newcastle I thought it was the right thing to do to put in a transfer request to show how I felt, seeing they weren't on the same wavelength as me. They then made the decision to sell me."

Kevin Keegan insisted yesterday that he had sanctioned Milner's departure, despite the Newcastle manager previously claiming he would not allow the 22-year-old to leave the club. Keegan likened his decision to sell Milner, who spent a season on loan at Villa three years ago, as similar to the one he took with Andy Cole in 1995, when he controversially allowed the striker to join Manchester United.

"It's a win-win," said Keegan. "James has got a fantastic move and we have got some more money in the pot, should we choose to use it in this window or the next. I did want to keep James but there comes a point when a deal is right to do. I'm convinced that despite the fact that it won't look a positive move to our fans at the moment, I think what will happen over the next two or three days will be positive for the future of this club."

Milner is the eighth summer signing at Villa and means that O'Neill, who has a reputation for being frugal, has spent more than any other Premier League manager this summer. "The chairman said I have earned the right to spend money," said O'Neill, who insists his level of investment will not bring any more pressure. "I am not a kid in a sweet shop but this is an opportunity for us. James has got a great spirit about him and I definitely think his best years are in front of him. It was disappointing two years ago not to sign him when we thought the deal was done and dusted but it is nice to have got it all sorted this time."

Having seen his move to Villa collapse two years ago, when he was valued at around £4m, Milner expressed his relief that the deal had gone through this time and is optimistic he has joined a club capable of breaking into the top four. "The top four is tough to get into. But a club will get in there at some point and Aston Villa are in as good as position as any."