In a new BBC Sport documentary, James Milner reflects on a career that has ended at 40, after making a record 658 Premier League appearances with six different clubs.
Team-mates and coaches reveal the drive behind 24 years at the top.
Watch below or on BBC iPlayer here
Nick Mashiter
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa are looking to move into a new era.
A Europa League win over Freiburg earned the club's first trophy in 30 years while they also sealed a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Manager Unai Emery delivered Champions League qualification for the second time in three seasons as he made good on his promise to bring silverware to Villa Park.
They are looking to challenge the established order in the top flight, having worked under strict financial restrictions.
After a historic campaign how do Villa move to the next level?
It has felt like Villa have gatecrashed a party they have not been invited to.
They have finished fourth, sixth and fourth in the past three seasons. How to continue that is the question.
Emery's team is getting older but, under him they have disrupted the top order consistently more than others.
In order to remain competitive Villa are expected to trade and, before the Europa League win, there was a growing belief the current squad had come to the end of its lifespan.
That has been challenged since the triumph in Istanbul and while the plan is to add more depth to be able to compete on all fronts, wholesale changes of the protagonists are not expected.
Although, there has been a previous willingness to allow goalkeeper Emi Martinez to leave, with interest in Manchester City's James Trafford.
Villa will still need to raise money to comply with Premier League and Uefa financial regulations, with Morgan Rogers the obvious big sale if needed and a top target for Arsenal.
In terms of incomings, a winger and a right-back, who can also play centre-back, are high on the agenda with Andres Garcia expected to move to Valencia after struggling to make an impact.
There have also been thoughts about revamping the left-back role with more physicality, while another body in midfield is desired.
Villa have also been long-term admirers of Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes.
They would be interested should the Magpies be willing to cut a deal but there is the expectation, after Barnes' 16 goals this season and Anthony Gordon's Barcelona move, he will not be available on the cheap.
There lies one of the problems for Villa. In order to improve they will need to spend and the recognition is the players who would elevate them would cost at least £40m.
Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand, 24, is considering his options after the expiry of a clause in his loan from Aston Villa to Crystal Palace to make the move permanent. (Evening Standard), external
Aston Villa are willing to let Spanish right-back Andres Garcia, 23, leave the club on loan in the summer, with Valencia and Elche among the interested clubs. (Tribuna Deportiva - in Spanish), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your memories of James Milner in an Aston Villa shirt after the midfielder announced his retirement from playing, bringing the end to a glittering 24-year Premier League career.
Here are some of your comments:
Robert: I remember Milly's last game with Villa. He knew he was going to Manchester City and yet he gave his best performance in a Villa shirt, flying into tackles and covering every blade of glass until he was substituted late on to a standing ovation. I think he may even have scored. Always a Villan despite having spent much of his career elsewhere. A model professional in an era when for many players it's all about the money.
Shak: What a player he was for Villa. An absolute beast in that Martin O'Neill side back then. Got stuck in, drove teams forward, scored and assisted. The game that stands out the most? The crazy cup game against Blackburn. He was sensational. Good luck for the future, James.
Prit: Milner was a great player for Villa and I was very sorry when he left. If he had stayed, Villa could have really challenged at the top. Every time he came back to Villa Park, he always received a great reception - a real testament of the man.
Elliot: Remember him scoring the penalty in the 2010 League Cup final as I watched from a pub in Sheffield, surrounded by Manchester United fans. The feeling didn't last, of course, as we went on to lose 2-1, but he had me on cloud nine right up until half-time. Wishing him all the best in retirement.
Dean: Best memories of Milner when playing for Villa are his work-rate and just giving his all.
Neil: I remember Milner's deal to join City was pretty much already done, yet he still played for Villa in the first game of the season versus West Ham. Although an injury may have scuppered the deal, he gave a totally committed performance in the centre of midfield - scoring a goal to top it off. What a brilliant professional. I wish him all the best in the future.
James Milner has called time on a remarkable a 24-year Premier League career, in which he has clocked up numerous impressive and record-breaking statistics.
He made 964 senior appearances for both club and country, with his 658 Premier League appearances the most of any player in competition history.
He is both the youngest and second-oldest Premier League goalscorer, and is 10th in the competition's assist charts, providing 90 across his 658 appearances.
Those 90 assists were for 47 different players in the Premier League, with Liverpool's Roberto Firmino benefitting from more Milner assists than anyone else (10).
Among the records Milner holds during the Premier League era, there is the the most substitute appearances by a player (218), while only eight players have more than his 13 goals as a substitute in the competition.
His 658 Premier League appearances came across six different clubs and in February he became only the fourth outfielder in the competition's history to start a match in his 40s.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Aston Villa midfielder James Milner has announced his retirement from playing, bringing the end to a glittering 24-year Premier League career.
The 40-year-old, who had a loan spell at Villa Park in 2005-06 before signing a permanent deal in 2008, played for six different teams in England's top flight.
After making his Premier League debut for Leeds United as a 16-year-old in 2002, he went on to break the record for the most Premier League appearances.
Milner, who could play on the wing, in midfield and at full-back, won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Super Cup, two FA Cups, two Carabao Cups, two Community Shields and the Club World Cup throughout his career.
He posted a farewell message on Instagram, external, which read: "After 24 seasons in the Premier League, it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career.
"From making my debut for Leeds United, 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 have been on, right through to not being able to lift my foot last year and then coming back to be part of Brighton qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40.
"To have gone on to represent Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton - and not forgetting a memorable month at Swindon Town - 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.
"I have been fortunate enough to experience some unforgettable moments, from fighting for survival to winning trophies, playing in Europe, and representing my country England at two European Championships and two World Cups.
"But more than anything, it is the people and friendships I have made throughout the game that I'll cherish forever.
"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."
As Milner calls time on his playing career, we want your input. What were his best moments in an Aston Villa shirt, and what are your favourite memories?
Get in touch with your comments here
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has set his sights on Aston Villa's England winger Morgan Rogers, 23, as he bids to build on their Premier League title success although Champions League winners Paris St-Germain are also interested. (Mirror), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport
The Mirror and The Daily Star both carry stories about Arsenal's interest in Rogers
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa now know they will play Paris St-Germain in the 2026 Super Cup final.
Unai Emery's Europa League-winning side are set to face Luis Enrique's double Champions League winners at Stadion Salzburg in Austria on Wednesday, 12 August (20:00 BST).
The confirmation comes after PSG denied Arsenal a first Champions League title in Budapest on Saturday, with the French giants lifting the trophy for the second year in a row.
It will be the first meeting between the two sides since the 2024-25 Champions League quarter-final, which Aston Villa lost 5-4 on aggregate.
After ending a 44-year wait for a European trophy with a glorious 3-0 win over Freiburg on 20 May, the Villans will be looking to lift the Super Cup for the second time, having beaten Barcelona 3-1 over a two-legged final in 1982.
Brazil and Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara, 26, has responded positively to interest from Aston Villa.(Sabah - in Turkish), external
Meanwhile, Villa are also keen on Real Betis' 24-year-old Morocco winger Abde Ezzalzouli, as are Newcastle United and Tottenham. (Sport - in Spanish), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column
We asked for your views on who Aston Villa should sign from the relegated Premier League sides Wolves,Burnley and West Ham United.
Here are some of your suggestions:
Chris: Crysencio Summerville from West Ham would be a very good addition to the squad. We need a wide player with pace and he ticks both boxes.
James: Mateus Fernandes from West Ham is a key player to pick up from the relegated teams, but he won't be short of suitors. Nor will Jarrod Bowen. Not much else from Burnley and Wolves… if they can't keep a team in the Premier League, would they be good enough for the Champions League?
Vinny: I don't think we should be just looking at relegated clubs. There are some lower Premier League teams that have not maybe matched their players' expectations and we should be looking there. I'm thinking Micky Van de Ven at Spurs and Joao Pedro at Chelsea.
George: I'd take Mateus Mane from Wolves. The only player that looked half decent in that team and could be available cheap. Summerville is another one to look at but I think there will be better options, such as Harry Wilson on a free from Fulham.
Sam: Bowen from West Ham and Wilson from Fulham would really help up front. Wilson looks keen, along with Harvey Barnes from Newcastle. Whether Bowen would be able to leave the Hammers or not is up for debate, his new father-in-law might be a factor in that decision! Kyle Walker has good Champions League pedigree and would help as a substitute for Matty Cash, and a return to the Premier League for West Ham's Callum Wilson might be a good option. I would have liked to have seen Van de Ven from Spurs if they had gone down too, but that's life.
Lee: Summerville and Bowen should be top of the Villa shopping list. We're in need of more depth out wide and haven't had a winger who strikes fear into full-backs for quite some years. Both are capable of beating a man and contributing to goals and would fit in well with our system.
Josh: I think that we HAVE to get Bowen. He is such a good player, fits Unai Emery's playing style and will get the goal contributions too. We haven't had a goalscoring winger like him for years and he would be so, so good for us. I also think we should try and steal Andre from Wolves, as we need a solid defensive midfielder if Douglas Luiz goes back to Juventus.
Craigy: It's got to be Bowen. Every time we played against West Ham, he's been a nuisance. Get him at a cut price. Great competitive cover for Emi Buendia and Morgan Rodgers, or play all three behind Ollie Watkins.
Image source, Getty Images
The most significant moment of the season - good or bad - was...
Winning the Europa League and ending a 30-year trophy drought with victory against Freiburg in Istanbul was monumental. It can push Villa to the next level, show signings they can join the club and win silverware and also cements Unai Emery's legacy at the club.
The season has been a success or failure because...
A huge success against the backdrop of inconsistency and battling financial restrictions. Villa were not as consistently good this term as in previous years but still lifted a trophy and finished in the top four. Emery worked his magic again.
The unsung hero of the season is....
Harvey Elliott. The playmaker was sold a dream by Villa and it turned into a nightmare. He has handled a wretched situation - being left in loan limbo after Emery opted not to make his move from Liverpool permanent - with professionalism and class.
If there's a player or staff member with more to do in future...
Perhaps more would have been expected of Tammy Abraham after his January arrival from Besiktas. Just three goals in 16 appearances - only two starts in the Premier League - is not the impact he or Villa would have wanted.
The major club issue or talking point lurking is...
Finances and how much Villa will be able to spend and who they may sell this summer. They must comply with Premier League and Uefa financial regulations and will need to sell in the close season. Morgan Rogers would fetch about £100m with a good World Cup for England.
The reason for hope going forward is...
As long as Emery remains at the club, Villa will continue to challenge for honours and the top four. The concern will always be what happens when the Spaniard leaves.
Image source, Getty ImagesEuropa League winners Aston Villa will have banked at least 52.6m euros (£45.6m) for winning Uefa's second-tier club competition this season.
That pot does include what they have already guaranteed for qualifying for next season's Champions League, among the prizes for the Europa League winner. However, Villa's entry in the Champions League is as a direct result of their fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
Financial distribution across all three of Uefa's club competitions is structured identically, with the main differences being in the amounts of money on offer.
For reaching the league phase of the Europa League, Villa were given 4.31m euros (£3.7m). They won seven of their eight matches in that round, earning 3.15m euros (£2.7m). They were given 600,000 euros (£520,000) for a top-eight finish and a further 2.625m euros (£2.3m) for finishing second in the table.
Villa earned 1.75m euros (£1.5m) for reaching the last 16, 2.5m euros (£2.2m) for getting to the quarter-finals and an additional 4.2m euros (£3.6m) for getting into the semi-finals.
For beating Freiburg in the final in Istanbul, Villa received 13m euros (£11.3m).
The curtain has officially come down on the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Players will depart and squads will be strengthened when the summer transfer window opens on Monday, 15 June.
With Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United all heading down to the Championship - would you be keen to poach any of their players?
Who would be good value for money and why? Which name would be best to avoid?
Daniel Austin
BBC Sport senior journalist
Arsenal might have ended their 22-year wait to the win the title, but is there any metric by which the Gunners wouldn't have been champions?
Very few people would suggest Arsenal were not worthy champions, so is there some insight for us to gain by assessing the performances of all 20 teams in alternative ways?
Just for fun, BBC Sport and Opta have crunched all the numbers to find out.
Image source, Getty ImagesBring on the screamers.
Below is the Premier League table if only goals scored from outside the box had counted in 2025-26. Villa lead the way with 15 - a full three above second-place Bournemouth.
Have you got a massive St George's cross covering the entire front of your house yet? Face paint stored safely in the cupboard ready for kick-off against Croatia?
No? Pfft, some England fan you are!
With the Three Lions aiming to bring the trophy home, what if the Football Association had prepared for the tournament by asking the Premier League to rank the table using only goals scored by English players this season?
Again Villa lead the way, spearheaded by Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers. More of that from the pair in the USA this summer please!
Arsenal have conducted extensive preparation for a deal to sign midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. (Football Transfers, external)
Oscar Mingueza wants a Premier League move this summer, with Villa among the clubs tracking the 27-year-old Celta Vigo and Spain defender, who is set to become a free agent. (Sky Sports), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesPerhaps this method will catch on.
Against Manchester City, Aston Villa recorded what would, if taken out of the very specific context of last week, otherwise stand as the most eye-catching single result of their season after preparations what must have been, how can we put it, unorthodox... Partying is good for the soul, clearly.
As they float off into summer, either at the World Cup or on the beach, Villa's players and staff could hardly be in a more different frame of mind compared to this time last year. The sullen sense of grievance after their narrow failure to qualify for the Champions League then, along with the prospect of a summer of relative austerity in the transfer market, seemed to linger into the start of this season.
But it's funny how things work out. Without that disappointment, there would have been no Europa League run, no Istanbul, and no grand procession to halt Birmingham traffic. Imagine what Villa might achieve next term if they again start the campaign in the mood they finished the last one? Even in this hyper-prepped age, sometimes football is more vibes than technicalities.
The glorious outcome of this campaign does not mean there is nothing to improve. Villa's year changed mood with the seasons - the stormy summer, the dazzling autumn, the grey winter and the new life of spring. Consistency of both individual players and the team rose and fell. Their resources were put through a serious stress-test by the injuries in midfield which exposed weakness, although things worked out.
Even if their progress had been smoother, however, Unai Emery would no doubt be setting his sights higher anyway. That relentless drive to improve – and to show that improvement could be possible at a rate not envisaged by many supporters – will be undimmed by their recent euphoria.
That work will include a summer of choices. Achieving Champions League status should widen Villa's margins a little, but they will be mindful both of financial regulations and their own patchy record on transfers. Larger investments have not always been successful.
Having talented players means sometimes your resolve to keep them will be tested by clubs with bigger budgets, and there may be smart deals to make. Whether or not any more improvement can possibly be wrung out of the core players Emery inherited – and having come so far together, they will give everything for him – Villa will need better transfer outcomes to take advantage of the chances they have earned. Get more of them right, and there may be further still to rise.
Hannah Gowen
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesSeason score out of 10 and overriding emotion?
9/10. This season has been Aston Villa's best of the 21st Century. After failing to score in the first four games, and only having three points on the Premier League board after five matches, the outlook was concerning. Yet, here we stand at the end of May, with a major European trophy and fourth place in the league.
There's been plenty of highs and lows, but the seismic achievements of this campaign far outweigh the challenges.
Best moment and why?
Villa lifting their first trophy in 30 years, and first European silverware since 1982, is the best moment of the season. Fans of all ages will agree - that night in Istanbul is immortalised.
Player of season and why?
Matty Cash has been excellent. With no trusted deputy at right-back, he has carried the weight of the position on his shoulders, playing 45 games and adding goals and assists. His improvement has been significant.
Unsung hero and why?
Emiliano Buendia's return last summer failed to excite at the time, but he has provided some of Villa's most impactful and memorable moments of the campaign. Whether it be the stunning goal against Freiburg or his last-gasp winner against Arsenal, the Argentine proved himself to be invaluable.
Biggest disappointment?
The loan of Donyell Malen to Roma in January did not make much sense at the time, and still doesn't. Since his move to Serie A he has registered 14 goals in 18 appearances. Signing Tammy Abraham as a Malen replacement currently seems like a bad bit of business.
What needs to change this summer?
The club's recruitment has generally been poor over the past few years. A summer transfer window that retains the club's best, sells in the right places and recruits new stars will be essential to take Unai Emery's Villa to the next level.
Major hope for next season?
The hope for next season and beyond is to build momentum from this moment of success. Fans cannot wait another 30 years for silverware, so continuing to battle among the elite and add trophies is essential.
Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV, external
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Image source, Aston Villa FCAston Villa have unveiled their new home kit for the 2026-27 season, which has been inspired by the club's kit designs from the 1960s.
The Villans have moved away from their "modern era raglan-sleeved" home shirts and opted for "a more unconventional" claret and blue colourway.
Bold "glow blue" shorts and socks finish off the home kit, which will not only be worn in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but also in the Champions League.
