England U21 boss Stuart Pearce is delighted to see so many local players getting their chance at Aston Villa.

He told Villa's website: "If you're going to join anybody, the environment at Villa is ideal.

"Villa are only getting stronger as a club, the owner seems to let Martin (O'Neill) get on with it - and once again he's been successful at another club.

"For Milner to go to Villa was a great move for him. He's not walked through the door and started immediately but that's the strength of the Villa team at the moment."

Gabriel Agbonlahor, Craig Gardner and Milner are all part of Pearce's squad for the European under-21 double header against Wales.