There are rumours about the two Manchester clubs having interest in James Milner. Also the rumour mill says that if Barcelona don't get Franck Ribery that Ashley Young is their backup plan.

So I have some ideas about what to do if we lose one or both of them. First James Milner. Now unless Manchester United make some sales it is my opinion that they don't have the money for Milner. So I am focusing on Manchester City who of course have both the wage and transfer money power to make something happen. And sure they can offer Aston Villa 24 million pounds and that be it, but I have a better idea. City have a classy midfielder who is out of favor and might want a move so he can start playing again. This midfielder is rated around about 14 million. So if City want James Milner, how about 10 million pounds plus this man!

Now for Ashley Young. If Barcelona do hand us another load of cash (say 22 million) for him than I have a replacement in mind for him. He is a young midfielder that Aston Villa face in the FA Cup. Can get you goals and is one of the best strikers of a deadball in England right now. I am talking about Gylfi Sigurðsson. He was the key to Reading's run in the FA Cup and resurgence under Brian McDermott.

Now with all that nice extra money plus some sales (Emile Heskey, Marlon Harewood, Luke Young) lets go out and get an upgrade for a big striker, Nikola Zigic (a bit fanciful I know), a right back so Carlos Cuellar doesn't have to play there all the damn time.

If Martin O'Neill can integrate Wifried Bouma (because Stephen Warnock need competition over there) and Mark Albritton back into the squad and give someone like Barry Bannan a chance then Villa will have as good a team as they had this season, with as much depth, without two of their top players.