Former Liverpool midfielder James Milner has matched Gareth Barry as the Premier League’s all-time appearance leader, reaching the milestone after a career that has taken him across multiple clubs.
Milner drew level with the record when he came off the bench for Brighton in their clash against Aston Villa, registering his 653rd match in the competition.
Facing another of his former teams, the veteran midfielder now has the chance to move outright first when Brighton meet Brentford a fixture that follows their FA Cup trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Milner was introduced in the first half at Villa Park, replacing Carlos Baleba. The Cameroon international did not appear injured but had received an early yellow card and was walking a disciplinary tightrope.
Not long after entering the action, Milner collided with Amadou Onana but avoided a booking. At 40, he is the oldest player featuring in the Premier League this season, three years senior to Everton defender Seamus Coleman.
Behind Milner and Barry on the all-time list sits another former Liverpool figure, with goalkeeper David James ranking in the top five alongside Ryan Giggs and Frank Lampard.
Barry retired in August 2020 after amassing 833 appearances in all competitions, calling time on his career at 38.
The former Everton and Manchester City midfielder lifted the Premier League title in 2012, a year after winning the FA Cup, and earned 53 England caps between 2000 and 2012.
Milner began his professional journey with Leeds United in 2002 before spells at Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and now Brighton.
“I think that will be a special thing for him but he is focused on top of that on the ambitions from the club as well. He wants to be always successful like he was his whole life,” Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said ahead of the match.
“He is a driver of this winning mentality and I think it’s very important to have these kind of players in the squad.
“They know how to win, they know what it needs to win, how you need to prepare a game, how you react in bad phases like on bad runs we have at the moment.”
