JAMES MILNER RETIRES AT AGE 40 AFTER LIVERPOOL ICON BREAKS PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD

Premier League and England legend James Milner has retired after a 24-year career in the top-flight, playing for Liverpool, Manchester City, Leeds, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Brighton

James Milner has announced his retirement from football(Image: Getty Images)

Premier League legend and former England international James Milner has announced his retirement from football at the age of 40.

The versatile midfielder left Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of the season when his contract expired after three years on the south coast. But instead of finding a new club, Milner has decided to call time on his illustrious career just months after breaking the record for most Premier League appearances in February.

Milner played for six teams in England's top flight. The 61-time England international came through at Leeds United before joining Newcastle United and then Aston Villa. He won the Premier League twice, FA Cup and League Cup at Manchester City before winning all there is to win under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

James Milner won multiple honours at Liverpool(Image: (JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images))

Taking to X, Milner shared an emotional statement: "After 24 seasons in the @premierleague, it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career. From making my debut for @leedsunited, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League’s youngest scorer.

"I could never have dreamed of the journey I’ve been on, right through to not being able to lift my foot last year and then coming back to be part of @officialbhafc qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40.

"To have gone on to represent @nufc, @astonvilla, @mancity, @liverpoolfc and @officialbhafc — and not forgetting a memorable month at @officialstfc — has been an incredible privilege.

"Every club has played a huge role in my life and career, and I want to thank everyone involved — the owners, staff, coaches, teammates and supporters who welcomed me and helped me along the way."

He continued: "To the fans, thank you. To those who supported me every step of the way, your encouragement meant more than you’ll ever know. And to those who gave me grief along the way, thank you too — you all played your part in making the journey memorable and helping shape me as a player and person.

"To my family, thank you for every sacrifice, every mile travelled and every moment of encouragement. None of this would have been possible without you.

"I leave the game with immense pride, gratitude and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Football has given me far more than I could ever have imagined, and I will always be thankful for the opportunities it provided.

"Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey."

- Cameron Winstanley

ASTON VILLA 1-0 BRIGHTON: LATE OWN GOAL THE DIFFERENCE AS MILNER MAKES PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY

Aston Villa ended their mini-skid with a win on a day former player James Milner made Premier League history for Brighton & Hove Albion in a 1-0 affair at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Jack Hinshelwood scores an own goal to give Villa the lead late in the game

Milner came off the bench in the first half for Carlos Baleba, making his 653rd Premier League appearance to tie Gareth Barry for the most appearances in the history of England’s top division.

The veteran midfielder was solid against his former team, who got the last laugh when Tyrone Mings headed a corner kick off Tyler Hinshelwood and past Bart Verbruggen late in the contest.

Villa stay three points behind second-place Man City, six points back of leaders Arsenal.

Brighton continue to slump and remain 14th with 31 points.

Villa find a way on fumes against punchless visitors

This was anything but pretty for Unai Emery’s men, who may all be hoping for a rest come Saturday in the FA Cup. The Hinshelwood own goal was well-celebrated but also fitting as a decider because almost everyone Unai Emery plugged into this front three struggled to affect the game. Tammy Abraham was bright off the bench but this win was also an indictment on Brighton’s ice-cold front three. Fabian Hurzeler’s men have lost three-of-four and boast just a single Premier League win since the calendar hit December. For those scoring at home, the Seagulls are 1W-6D-6L in that run with the lone win coming against 19th-place Burnley. We’re pretty sure no one’s truly impressed with Wednesday’s result.

What’s next?

Villa host Newcastle United in the FA Cup at 12:45pm ET Saturday, then welcome Leeds to Villa Park a week later in the league.

Brighton are off to Liverpool for a 3pm Saturday date in the FA Cup, then visit Brentford the following Saturday.

Aston Villa vs Brighton final score: 1-0

Jack Hinshelwood o.g. 86'

Aston Villa vs Brighton live updates — by Nick Mendola

Jack Hinshelwood own goal — Aston Villa 1-0 Brighton

Abraham’s been good for Villa, who have a corner.

The ball is swung toward the near post and Mings, on his 200th Villa appearance, turns the ball off Hinshelwood and behind Verbruggen.

Villa Park needed that, and there’s an audible release in Birmingham.

Moves a-plenty

The quests for a goal continues, as Villa bring Ollie Watkins and Amadou Onana off in favor of Tammy Abraham and Alysson Edward.

Brighton remove Kaoru Mitoma, Welbeck, and Diego Gomez for Yankuba Minteh, Charalampos Kostoulas, and Harry Howell.

Under 10 minutes plus stoppage to go in Aston.

Subs

Villa aren’t happy with their tame attack. Leon Bailey and Ross Barkley enter for Jadon Sancho and Buendia.

Brighton remove Jan Paul van Hecke for Oliver Boscagli.

Zeroes on the board into the final half hour.

Halftime — Aston Villa 0-0 Brighton

Old heads unite for a half-chance as Milner cues up a Danny Welbeck chance that cannot get the better of Emiliano Martinez.

Shots are 10-2 to Villa. though that figure betrays the actual danger of the opportunities.

Buendia wins corner

The Argentine steps in from the right and has a 20-yard shot that spins off of Jack Hinshelwood and goes out for a corner.

Villa can’t do anything with the set piece.

History!

Carlos Baleba is on yellow and plays with fire, something that does not sit well with Fabian Hurzeler.

The Brighton manager brings James Milner into the game, and it’s his 653rd all-time appearance.

The veteran, a former Villa man, has now tied fellow ex-Villan midfielder Gareth Barry for the most all-time appearances in Premier League history.

Aston Villa lineup

Martinez, Bogarde, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Onana, Luiz, Sancho, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins

Brighton lineup

Verbruggen, Kadioglu, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman, Gomez, Baleba, Gross, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Welbeck

Aston Villa vs Brighton preview — by Joe Prince-Wright

Aston Villa have gone two games without a win but they can still hang in the title race with a win against struggling Brighton on Wednesday.

Unai Emery’s side took the lead at Bournemouth on Saturday but drew 1-1 as injuries have hit Villa hard at precisely the moment they looked like challenging Arsenal and City for the title. Still, they look set for a top four finish if they can get back on track quickly and their new signings can settle in.

Brighton lost 1-0 at home to bitter rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday and some of the Seagulls faithful have turned on young manager Fabian Hurzeler. Brighton have won just once in their last 12 league games and with the players they have it’s clear they should have more points on the board.

Aston Villa team news, focus

Morgan Rogers is their main star with John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara all missing through injury. He scored a beauty at the weekend and keeps on delivering. Villa need new signings Abraham and Luiz (both re-signing for Villa) and returning loanee Leon Bailey to deliver big performances straight away as Emery will rotate the lineup.

Brighton team news, focus

Adam Webster, Solly March, Stefanos Tzimas, Yasin Ayari and Mats Wieffer are out injured, while center back Jan Paul van Hecke remains a doubt. Brighton have so many wonderful attacking players but Hurzeler can’t seem to find a way to get them all in the team at the same time and there’s a real lack of fluidity and confidence in attack.

- Nicholas  & Joe Prince-Wright

PREMIER LEAGUE ALL-TIME ASSIST

 

JAMES MILNER STATS AT LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB ⚽️

 

200 APPEARANCES FOR LIVERPOOL | JAMES MILNER

JAMES MILNER 4TH IN THE ALL-TIME PREMIER LEAGUE APPEARANCE TABLE

 

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