Two separate stories, suppose you can't blame him but since he's working against us, hard not to feel some resentment.
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IRELAND WELCOME AT VILLA - DUNNE
Defender Richard Dunne would welcome Stephen Ireland to Aston Villa if his time at Manchester City comes to an end this summer.
Dunne made the same move last summer and amid speculation that Ireland could follow him to Villa Park, would be happy to see him do just that.
Speaking as he launched the Football Association of Ireland's Goal to Work programme in Kilinarden, Dunne said: "He had a bit of a stop and start season last year after the previous season, when he was unbelievable.
"I think Stephen would say himself that he wants to get more games and play more regularly, and if that's not at Manchester City, he would be more than welcome at Villa.
"Everyone in the Premier League knows on his day how good he can be, and he would be a great addition to any side."
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DUNNE WARNING FOR MILNER
Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne has warned James Milner he might not be guaranteed a place in the team if he leaves for Manchester City.
Republic of Ireland international Dunne joined Villa from City last summer as the world's richest club flexed its financial muscles and he became surplus to requirements.
They are preparing to spend again, with £20million-plus-rated Milner firmly in their sights, although his club-mate has warned the blossoming England midfielder the grass may not necessarily be greener in the blue half of Manchester.
Dunne, 30, said: "Manchester City is a really big club now, but I suppose the problem they will have is they will have a lot of top players - £20million is nothing to them.
"It's just another player really, so it's whether you are going to get enough game time.
"But I am sure with James, he is a very, very sensible fella and very clever, so he will make his own decision."
Milner has established himself as one of the English game's rising stars since his £12million switch from Newcastle to Villa, and the 24-year-old played a major part in the club's sustained challenge for a top-four finish last season.
For that reason, Villa are desperate to hang on to him amid concerted interest, although Dunne knows money could eventually talk.
He said: "That's the big thing. We want to progress as a club, but there are always bigger clubs, I suppose, with more money who can offer him maybe Champions League football, so it will be difficult.
"But if things don't work out and James does have to leave, the manager has been really good in the transfer market and will spend his money well.
"We have already got the likes of Fabian Delph there, who is going to become a really good player.
"As much as we want to keep James, we know we he is a much sought after player and it might prove difficult."
Left-back Stephen Warnock also believes Villa may find it difficult to keep in-demand Milner if a club come in with a huge offer.
"Of course, we want him at Villa next season but I think, if the price is right, it's very difficult for a club to turn it down," Warnock said.
"From his point of view, if there's a chance to play at a higher level, then it's something that I'm sure he'll be open to."
Speculation has linked unsettled midfielder Stephen Ireland with a move away from City this summer, possibly as a makeweight in a deal for Milner, and Dunne would welcome his former international team-mate to Villa with open arms.
Dunne said: "He had a bit of a stop-and-start season last year after the previous year, when he was unbelievable.
"Stephen would say himself that he wants to get more games and play more regularly, and if that's not at Manchester City, he would be more than welcome at Villa.
"Everyone in the Premier League knows on his day how good he can be and he would be a great addition to any side."
Ireland captain Robbie Keane yesterday insisted he would be reporting back to Tottenham for pre-season training after spending the second half of the last campaign on loan at Celtic.
However, reports today suggested Harry Redknapp could be ready to dispense with his services and claimed a series of high-profile suitors are waiting in the wings, and Dunne would have no hesitation in recommending the striker to Villa boss Martin O'Neill.
Dunne said: "The player that we need is probably someone who can play in the hole and link the midfield with the forward line, so if Robbie comes to us, it would be great for us."
Dunne, who was speaking as he launched the Football Association of Ireland's Goal to Work programme at the Sacred Heart Football Club in Kilinarden today, insisted the uncertainty which surrounded O'Neill's future as last season drew to a close never seeped into the dressing room.
He said: "As the season was going on, we were still talking about next season and when we would be back for pre-season so for us, all this talk was outside.
"But inside we knew the story and we knew that the manager would be staying and be there for next season."
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IRELAND WELCOME AT VILLA - DUNNE
Defender Richard Dunne would welcome Stephen Ireland to Aston Villa if his time at Manchester City comes to an end this summer.
Dunne made the same move last summer and amid speculation that Ireland could follow him to Villa Park, would be happy to see him do just that.
Speaking as he launched the Football Association of Ireland's Goal to Work programme in Kilinarden, Dunne said: "He had a bit of a stop and start season last year after the previous season, when he was unbelievable.
"I think Stephen would say himself that he wants to get more games and play more regularly, and if that's not at Manchester City, he would be more than welcome at Villa.
"Everyone in the Premier League knows on his day how good he can be, and he would be a great addition to any side."
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DUNNE WARNING FOR MILNER
Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne has warned James Milner he might not be guaranteed a place in the team if he leaves for Manchester City.
Republic of Ireland international Dunne joined Villa from City last summer as the world's richest club flexed its financial muscles and he became surplus to requirements.
They are preparing to spend again, with £20million-plus-rated Milner firmly in their sights, although his club-mate has warned the blossoming England midfielder the grass may not necessarily be greener in the blue half of Manchester.
Dunne, 30, said: "Manchester City is a really big club now, but I suppose the problem they will have is they will have a lot of top players - £20million is nothing to them.
"It's just another player really, so it's whether you are going to get enough game time.
"But I am sure with James, he is a very, very sensible fella and very clever, so he will make his own decision."
Milner has established himself as one of the English game's rising stars since his £12million switch from Newcastle to Villa, and the 24-year-old played a major part in the club's sustained challenge for a top-four finish last season.
For that reason, Villa are desperate to hang on to him amid concerted interest, although Dunne knows money could eventually talk.
He said: "That's the big thing. We want to progress as a club, but there are always bigger clubs, I suppose, with more money who can offer him maybe Champions League football, so it will be difficult.
"But if things don't work out and James does have to leave, the manager has been really good in the transfer market and will spend his money well.
"We have already got the likes of Fabian Delph there, who is going to become a really good player.
"As much as we want to keep James, we know we he is a much sought after player and it might prove difficult."
Left-back Stephen Warnock also believes Villa may find it difficult to keep in-demand Milner if a club come in with a huge offer.
"Of course, we want him at Villa next season but I think, if the price is right, it's very difficult for a club to turn it down," Warnock said.
"From his point of view, if there's a chance to play at a higher level, then it's something that I'm sure he'll be open to."
Speculation has linked unsettled midfielder Stephen Ireland with a move away from City this summer, possibly as a makeweight in a deal for Milner, and Dunne would welcome his former international team-mate to Villa with open arms.
Dunne said: "He had a bit of a stop-and-start season last year after the previous year, when he was unbelievable.
"Stephen would say himself that he wants to get more games and play more regularly, and if that's not at Manchester City, he would be more than welcome at Villa.
"Everyone in the Premier League knows on his day how good he can be and he would be a great addition to any side."
Ireland captain Robbie Keane yesterday insisted he would be reporting back to Tottenham for pre-season training after spending the second half of the last campaign on loan at Celtic.
However, reports today suggested Harry Redknapp could be ready to dispense with his services and claimed a series of high-profile suitors are waiting in the wings, and Dunne would have no hesitation in recommending the striker to Villa boss Martin O'Neill.
Dunne said: "The player that we need is probably someone who can play in the hole and link the midfield with the forward line, so if Robbie comes to us, it would be great for us."
Dunne, who was speaking as he launched the Football Association of Ireland's Goal to Work programme at the Sacred Heart Football Club in Kilinarden today, insisted the uncertainty which surrounded O'Neill's future as last season drew to a close never seeped into the dressing room.
He said: "As the season was going on, we were still talking about next season and when we would be back for pre-season so for us, all this talk was outside.
"But inside we knew the story and we knew that the manager would be staying and be there for next season."