Villa warned off winger swoop

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan has told Premier League rivals Aston Villa he has no desire to sell winger James Milner.

Villa sent a delegation to the Ricoh Arena last night to watch the England Under-21 international score as Newcastle went through to the Carling Cup third round at the expense of Coventry.

Martin O Neill has already failed with one bid for the former Leeds flyer - who spent the 2005-06 season on loan at Villa Park - and is weighing up another pre-deadline offer, although Keegan has vowed to fight to keep hold of him.

"James has a three-year-contract - I do not even want to talk about losing him," he said.

"He is absolutely top notch, around the club, around the training ground. He is getting better and better every game."