Milner in Blue demand

Chelsea and Manchester City are ready to cross swords over England midfield star James Milner. The Aston Villa player, who was recently named PFA Young Player of the Year, is in high demand with reports claiming City have already tabled a £30m offer after Villa rejected their initial £25m bid. But EPL champions Chelsea have now entered the fray, believing the prospect of Champions League football will swing it their way. Milner, who is effective in midfield as well as at right-back, has two years left on his £40,000-a-week contract at Villa but any offer from Chelsea or City will dwarf that sum. Milner is said to be fiercely ambitious, so the chance of playing alongside John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole at Stamford Bridge could prove irresistible.