James Milner’s Aston Villa comments pave the way for sensational Steven Gerrard reunion

James Milner is being linked with a shock return to Aston Villa.

The veteran midfielder’s contract at Liverpool expires in the summer and reports suggest a move to Villa Park could be on the cards.

Despite recently turning 36, Milner is still used regularly in the Premier League by Jurgen Klopp and has made 16 appearances this season.

Only seven of those appearances have been starts though, with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago keeping Milner on Liverpool’s bench.

A reunion with former England teammate Steven Gerrard at Villa has been mooted, as has a move to Crystal Palace.

After joining Villa from Newcastle United in 2008, Milner left for Manchester City in a £26million transfer in 2010, but he remains a popular figure with those of a claret and blue persuasion.

Milner - who also spent the 2005/06 season on loan at Villa from Newcastle - made 129 appearances for the club in total.

“I had an amazing time at Villa,” said Milner, during an interview with BT Sport in 2019. “We had an exciting team at the time, I think we were one of the most exciting to watch, especially away from home we were very good and defensively very solid.”

Gerrard’s remit is to lead Villa into Europe in the coming seasons - a feat Milner experienced during his days under Martin O’Neill.

"I loved every minute of my time with Villa,” Milner told Villa’s official website in 2014. "The fans were great to me and we were unfortunate not to win a trophy and get into the Champions League.

"I can't thank them enough for what they did for me."