Hughes backs Milner to shine
Aaron Hughes has urged Aston Villa to sign James Milner on a permanent basis after describing the midfielder as “one of the top young players in the country".
Milner is currently sidelined with a virus which Hughes admitted was “something similar to glandular fever” and it remains to be seen how much more of a part he can play this season.
But Northern Ireland skipper Hughes has seen enough this season of the on-loan Newcastle star, whom he played alongside at St James’ Park, to know he would be a major asset if a deal can be struck with the Magpies in the summer.
Defender Hughes told PA Sport: “I think he would be a great signing for us.
“Hopefully it works out that way because since he has come down here, he has improved and that will only keep coming with the more games he plays.
“He is definitely one of the top young players in the country and the more games he plays the better he will get and hopefully that will be at Villa.
“It is good to have him in front of me on the right flank because he works very hard as well.
“Then when you give him the ball, he has got the ability to go at people and make something happen. He has got quite a few assists this season.”
Hughes has also been laid low with a virus along with Kevin Phillips but they have not been as badly affected as Milner and were able to play in Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham.
Hughes continued: “I did not train properly until Thursday and I was glad to get through the 90 minutes against Fulham more than anything and I think Kevin was the same last weekend at Everton.
“There have been a few bits and pieces like that knocking around the place and it is difficult when you have got injuries as well.
“It’s the last thing you need but James has something similar to glandular fever and I think we miss James as well.
“The sooner we get him back playing, the better, and hopefully we do get him back before the end of the season.
Phillips gave his backing last week to under-fire manager David O’Leary and Hughes has echoed those sentiments along with goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.
He said: “The players are behind the manager.
“We want to get this 40-point mark that everyone talks about and then we want to finish the season as high up the table as we can.”
Sorensen said: “Even Jose Mourinho gets criticised sometimes, when Chelsea win 10 games and then go and lose the next one.
“It’s just one bad week that we’ve had. People don’t remember two or three games back. They remember only what happened last week and forget the rest.
“There was always going to be criticism directed at the players, the manager, the chairman, whoever.
“But the gaffer hasn’t changed. He’s still 100% committed.
“We’ll bounce back as a team – with David O’Leary as a manager.
