James Milner's Record Premier League Appearance Earns Praise From Brighton's Hurzeler

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James Milner matched the Premier League appearance record on a night when Brighton lost 1-0 at Aston Villa, with head coach Fabian Hurzeler praising the veteran. Milner’s 653rd outing in the competition brought him level with former Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, yet Jack Hinshelwood’s late own goal meant Brighton’s wait for a league win stretched to six matches.

Milner, now 40, came on during the first half and delivered a controlled performance, but could not change the result. Brighton stayed 14th in the table after the defeat, as their run without victory in the Premier League continued, adding further pressure on Hurzeler and the squad.

The appearance at Villa Park also marked Milner’s 218th league outing as a substitute, the most in Premier League history. Hurzeler underlined the importance of such experience in a young Brighton squad, and made clear how much value the staff place on Milner’s presence, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Although we didn't win, it's still a special night, he said.[Milner's] a role model for the young players, he's a professional, he's unbelievable, disciplined. It's no coincidence he's still proving every week, every day, that he's capable of playing in the Premier League. It's a pleasure to work with him, and we are grateful to have him in our squadnotonly as a player, but also as a character.

Brighton’s latest setback followed a defeat against Crystal Palace on the previous Sunday, which had already raised questions about form. Hurzeler highlighted the response from the players at Villa, stressing their effort and togetherness in a tight contest that was ultimately decided by a single late defensive mistake.

I'm definitely frustrated, but we showed a good reaction to Sunday [the defeat against Crystal Palace], he added. I learned a lot about the players in the last days in terms of their character and how they stick together. You could see that in the performance. I'm sorry for our fans, who were absolutely amazing, and who supported us for 90 minutes. We deserve to win, but we have to keep going.

Hurzeler’s comments underlined two themes from the night: respect for Milner’s longevity and a belief that Brighton’s performances can still improve results. The coach pointed to commitment from the players and backing from the supporters, as Brighton look to end their six-game Premier League winless streak and climb away from mid-table.