Newcastle have been cut for the drop after their opening 3-0 defeat at Man United – see the Premiership relegation best odds on every club.

Manchester City have agreed a player-plus-cash deal with Aston Villa for James Milner.

Milner, 24, will undergo a medical at Eastlands on Tuesday and City midfielder Stephen Ireland will move in the opposite direction to Villa Park.

City manager Roberto Mancini hopes to complete the deal by Wednesday at the latest.

“I hope we can close it between today and tomorrow,” Mancini said. “I think that Milner is a good player, an English player which is important. I think that Milner can play in different positions.”

City have been pursuing the England international all summer and had an initial bid rejected before the start of the World Cup.

Milner played his final game for Villa in their opening Premier League fixture on Saturday, starring and scoring in a 3-0 home win over West Ham.

Newcastle have been cut for the drop after their opening 3-0 defeat at Man United – see the Premiership relegation best odds on every club.

Make sure you don’t miss any of the last news and articles from World Soccer. Subscribe to World Soccer today and take advantage of our all 50th anniversary offer, saving up to 50%!