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James Milner is expected to join Aston Villa before the transfer window closes on Monday after another day of confusion and mixed messages at Newcastle United concluded with doubts being raised again about the club’s acquisition and contract policy.

Milner’s agent expressed incredulity last night that Newcastle had publicised the midfield player’s transfer request on the club’s website a week after it had been submitted and on the morning of a pivotal meeting between Kevin Keegan and the club’s directors, in which it was due to be discussed.

In a statement, Mick McGuire, the player’s representative and deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, praised Milner for his professionalism in “keeping the matter quiet”, a reference to Newcastle’s failure to do so. It was in deference to the club’s wishes that Milner never went public on the issue.

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Milner, 22, has not been eager to leave St James’ Park, but his demand to move came after repeated attempts to renegotiate his contract, which has three years to run, were rebuffed by Dennis Wise, the Newcastle executive director.

Keegan has talked of his reluctance to sell Milner from a first-team squad that is down in numbers from last season as well as lacking senior players because of injury. “I don’t even want to talk about losing James Milner,” the manager said. “He’s a very important player for us. He’s one for the future and he’s getting better every game.”

Keegan was due to meet Wise, Derek Llambias, the managing director, and Mike Ashley, the owner, last night to discuss, among other things, Milner, progress in the transfer market and the state of Michael Owen’s contract negotiations. As things stand, Owen, the Newcastle captain, would be entitled to leave on a free transfer next summer.

Newcastle’s conduct regarding Milner would suggest that Keegan’s wishes have been overruled in favour of eking out a fee from Villa that could be as high as £10 million. The manager will expect that money to be reinvested in his squad, although attracting players to Tyneside has proved difficult during the close season.

One of the most protracted transfer sagas of the summer has ended in stalemate, with Gareth Barry deciding to stay with Aston Villa. Liverpool’s long-running courtship of the England midfield player has failed with Alex Black, Barry’s agent, saying yesterday that his client would not move.

“After much speculation, I can confirm that Gareth will not leave Aston Villa before the transfer window closes,” Black said. “Gareth made the decision to stay two weeks ago and informed Villa of his intentions. Any talks regarding potential new contracts at Villa will not take place until the end of the season.”