Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill refuses to give up on landing Newcastle winger James Milner.

The Sunday Mercury says Toon boss Kevin Keegan has told O'Neill that Milner is not for sale after dismissing Villa's £9m offer for the England under-21 star.

But O'Neill, who has already spent in the region of £35 million during the close season, is prepared to test Newcastle's resolve with an improved bid in an effort to fill Villa's problem right midfield position.