James Milner believes he is benefiting from the most settled period of his career as he looks to cement his place in the England side

Milner burst onto the as a 16-year-old with Leeds at the same time Wayne Rooney was starting to make an impact with Everton.

But the midfielder feels the off-field problems at Elland Road and then Newcastle, plus a string of different managers, was not the ideal scenario.

That has changed under Martin O'Neill at Villa and the solid ownership of Randy Lerner, and Milner has forced his way into Capello's squad and retained it for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with Ukraine and Belarus.

Milner said: "This is the most settled period of my career. I've never started and finished a season with the same manager and hopefully this will be the first season.

"To have that stability off the field as well, with a club which is run very well, where the owner has been fantastic, with the players that have been signed, is fantastic.

"It is being built for the future. In the past I've been unfortunate with Leeds and Newcastle, two great clubs going through tough periods and changing managers is not easy.

"As much as you like to concentrate on your on-field form, it does get to players when you don't know how long your manager is going to be there and finances and stuff like that."

Milner has won a record number of Under-21 caps and now has added three senior ones to his tally but the goal is to stay in the squad.

He said: "When you are working as hard as you can all the way through your career, and played a lot of Under-21 games, to get the first full caps is nice and just gets that out of the way.

"I don't think it ever played on my mind. It is your aim to play for England and now I've done that and the next aim is to stay in the squad and stay in the team.

"It's nice to move that goal on one more time and stepping up a level, to keep getting in the squads and pushing for a place in the team.

"I don't think it adds to my confidence. It might change the way other people feel about you but obviously you've got that self-belief and confidence in your ability."

(reopens) O'Neill is hopeful Richard Dunne's desire to play for the Republic of Ireland against Italy will not rob the Aston Villa manager of his services for the clash with Chelsea on Saturday week.

Dunne suffered an ankle injury against his former club Manchester City after finding the net in the 1-1 draw on Monday and he has been forced to miss training in the build-up to the vital World Cup qualifier in Dublin.

O'Neill is aware how much the 29-year-old wants to face Italy but is keeping his fingers crossed he reports back in fit enough condition to face the Blues at Villa Park.

O'Neill said: "He hasn't trained the last couple of days. I'm just hoping that is precautionary and that he is available to play for Ireland.

"Richard was complaining of a sore ankle from a heavy challenge in the City game. He continued on in the game and was splendid but he was a bit sore.

"He desperately wants to play against Italy. I just hope that he is okay.

"Since he has arrived here, he has been splendid for us along with the other two new defenders in James Collins and Stephen Warnock."