How Aston Villa capitalised on Newcastle United transfer blunder

James Milner was only sold to Aston Villa because Newcastle thought they could sign Bastian Schweinsteiger for the same money.

But having flogged Milner, the Magpies' hopes of landing Schweinsteiger were scuppered when they were quoted more than three times as much for the German star.

Former Toon coach Terry McDermott lifted the lid on why Milner was allowed to leave St James' Park for Villa Park in August 2008.

He revealed that he and boss Kevin Keegan were reluctant to lose Milner, but the club's board thought they had lined up Schweinsteiger to replace him.

Milner went on to become a popular figure at Villa for the next two seasons under Martin O'Neill before a big-money move to Manchester City in 2010.

Milner then moved to Liverpool where he still features, at the tender age of 36.

It is believed Villa snapped up the versatile midfielder for £12 million, although McDermott has suggested the fee was more like £15 million.

"We were actually at the club when we sold him, myself and Kevin Keegan," he recalled.

"We sold him for 15 million quid.

"The story goes - and this is a true story - we didn't want him to leave but we needed to get other players in because we'd had a bid of 15 million quid.

"Kevin said 'if we sell him for 15 million quid, how are we going to replace him?'

"They said 'we've already got one - Schweinsteiger'. Seven or eight years ago he was a superstar and they said we could get him.

"The idea of accepting the bid of 15 million for Milner, which was a lot of money then, and then we're looking to get Schweinsteiger it's a no brainer.

"But after he's signed for Villa - the day after - we're trying to sign Schweinsteiger and the answer was 'absolutely no chance, it will cost you £50 million if you wanted