Q & A: Selling goals to Newcastle

Last updated : 05 September 2005 By Pancho Villa

Solano has returned to Tyneside but at the cost of Milner travelling in the opposite direction. How much of a cost is that?

Squad wise it's a cost because Milner can play across the entire midfield four and even behind the centre-forward. I say play, he hasn't yet shined in any position. In fact he has struggled since his move to United despite playing over 40 games. Quality wise, well Solano over Milner, there really is only one winner. In that sense we have improved the team.


What impact is he likely to have at
Villa Park?

Milner will arrive at Villa Park low in confidence because he has effectively been told he isn't good enough for Newcastle (for now) but he's a tireless worker and he never lets his head drop so he'll quickly find his feet and get on with it as they say. How well he does or how much of an impact he makes remains to be seen. Just don't build your hopes up because he's a frustrating player.


One thing in his and Villa's favour will be the O'Leary factor. He will know his game inside out and will fill him with confidence. Plus there won't be the same pressures on Milner as there was at St. James' Park, or at least there shouldn't be as he's costing Villa nowt.

Overall I personally feel this is a great move for him and he does have talent, just watch him for England Under-21s, he shines under Peter Taylor where he plays more of a free role. Good luck to the lad and I would like to think he will return to Newcastle a much better player.


Has he changed much since his
Leeds days and what is his best position now?


He has changed a lot. He's lost that care free, no fear attitude which comes with playing in a side at such a young age, constantly under the microscope from our own fans and the local and national media. A struggling side to be honest. He also has a big price tag to live with not to mention expectations as he was considered on of the "jewels" at
Elland Road. United have only seen a sparkle from Milner on a few occasions and many fans question whether he is a Premiership standard player.


And Hughes? Sad to see him go?


Deeply saddened to see him leave. Not only is he a good player but a top professional too. And a nice bloke to boot. His sale still doesn't make sense as he can fill in a number of positions, is still young but also vastly experienced. He was to
Newcastle what Phil

Neville was to Man Utd. Good luck to Aaron at Villa, he's a smashing fella and he'll be sure to get a great reception at St. James' Park. I hope he does really well for Villa.


With Villa now fuelled by Messrs Milner and Hughes and
Newcastle by Solano, where do you think the sides will finish this term?


Where our two respective sides are concerned, pick a number out the hat. Who knows. Villa have bought well in my opinion and have added a much more rounded goal threat this term. Defensively you have always been strong but I look at your midfield, especially with Solano missing, and I just see a lot off huff and puff with no real creativity. You could struggle to create. I fancy Villa to finish anywhere between 13th and 9th. Your midfield is the weakest area of the field for me and that's arguably the most important area.


As for
Newcastle. Injury permitting and with a bit of luck... and providing Souness doesn't fall out with anyone else, there is no reason why we shouldn't be looking at top 6 with maybe one eye on a Champions League place. Given the spending and the quality players we now have, that should be the aim.


But as such with life on Tyneside,
Newcastle never read the rule book so if we were to finish 14th again it wouldn't really surprise me. But I'm in a happy mood so I'll predict anywhere between 7th and 5th.

Fingers crossed.

With thanks to http://www.newcastle-online.com