Ashley Young fuels James Milner speculation as Aston Villa 'want' Liverpool transfer

Ashley Young has praised his former Aston Villa team-mate James Milner for reaching an incredible milestone in his career, after the Liverpool midfielder made his 800th professional appearance in the Reds' 2-0 win over Inter Milan on Wednesday night.

The ex- Villa midfielder made 126 of his 800 total career appearances in claret and blue during a career at the top that has spanned two decades.

Milner is expected to leave Anfield at the end of the season as his current deal with Liverpool is due to end in a matter of months.

The 36-year-old has outlined his intentions to keep playing beyond the end of this season and according to football journalist and European transfer expert Ekrem Konur, Milner could return to Villa Park in the summer.

Konur said on Twitter: "Aston Villa and Crystal Palace want to sign James Milner on a free transfer."

Steven Gerrard knows Milner well from international duty with England, although the current Villa boss left Liverpool as the former Manchester City midfielder arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2015.

Gerrard wants experienced heads around the dressing room, like he has in 36-year-old Young, who joined Villa from Inter in the summer on a one-year contract with an option of an additional 12 months.

And the versatile Villa veteran claims Milner still has the "hunger" to compete at the highest level.

"James Milner has been impressive throughout his career," Young told the BBC.

"I’ve always said age is nothing but a number. You can see that with the way he looks after himself.

"I played with him at Aston Villa and England and you can see he’s still got the hunger.

"When you get older and want to stay at the top level you understand when you need to rest and how to recover and what to