Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has hailed his 'Mr Versatile', James Milner, and insisted the winger could eventually find himself in central midfield for the Villians in the future.
The 23-year-old, who arrived at Aston Villa shirt in an £12million deal from Newcastle United in 2008, featured in England's disappointing 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Saturday, but Three Lions boss Fabio Capello praised Milner's efforts.
"James Milner is improving, Maicon is one of the best right-backs in the world. He is very fast. He is a good defender and when he goes forward he is really dangerous. But Milner played well. He is a good player too," Capello told Sky Sports News.
O'Neill has also been delighted with Milner's impact since joining the club and he has admitted he may be used in a more central role in the future.
"He has got a good football knowledge and a good football brain. In terms of other positions, I feel he can move infield as well," O'Neill told the club's official website.
"I think because he is not concerned about receiving the ball under pressure at some stage between now and the end of the season he will play in there for us," he added.
O'Neill's prediction may be due to the return to training of summer signing Stewart Downing, who is looking to make his return to competitive action next month.
Ironically, Villa have potentially three wingers battling out for one of Capello's World Cup places next summer with Milner, Downing and Ashley Young desperately seeking to be included in the squad.
With this positional move in mind, Milner's undoubted versatility could prove to be the deciding factor on his ticket to South Africa.
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