James Milner

James Philip Milner (born 4 January 1986) is an English footballer who plays as a winger and central midfielder for the English club Aston Villa . He has previously played for the English clubs Leeds United, Swindon Town, and Newcastle. His talent in football, cricket, and long-distance running was recognised when he was a child. He represented his school in these sports and played football for amateur teams from Rawdon and Horsforth. He supported Leeds United from a young age and was a season ticket holder at the club. Milner began his career at Leeds United by joining the club's academy in 1996; he was later taken on as a trainee. Milner made his inaugural appearance for the first team in 2002, aged only 16, and gained prominence as the youngest player to score in the Premier League. While at Leeds United, he spent time on loan at Swindon Town to gain experience as a first-team player. Following his move to Newcastle United, he was loaned to Aston Villa for a season. Hethen established himself as a regular starter in the Newcastle first team, for whom he made more than 100 appearances, as well as making a record number of appearances for the England under-21 side. In August of 2008, Milner completed a transfer from Newcastle to Aston Villa on a permanent basis.  Since his arrival, Villa have added several other players, and both Milner and Villa have thrived.  Late in 2009, gaffer Martin O'Neil moved Milner to central midfielder, and he rewarded the boss with creative passing and a glut of goals. Milner has played a role in the England international team preparing for the 2010 World Cup, and he is rumored to be a lock for the final 23.