James Milner believes a settled period in his career is the reason for his run of form culminating in a place in England's World Cup plans. Milner burst onto the as a 16-year-old with Leeds, but the midfielder feels the off-field problems at Elland Road and then Newcastle, plus a string of different managers, was not the ideal scenario.

That has changed under Martin O'Neill at Villa and, Milner said: "This is the most settled period of my career. I've never started and finished a season with the same manager and hopefully this will be the first season.

"To have that stability off the field as well, with a club which is run very well, where the owner has been fantastic, with the players that have been signed, is fantastic.

"It is being built for the future. In the past I've been unfortunate with Leeds and Newcastle, two great clubs going through tough periods and changing managers is not easy.

"As much as you like to concentrate on your on-field form, it does get to players when you don't know how long your manager is going to be there and finances and stuff like that."