This encounter showcased the contrasting journeys of two midfielders: one just embarking on his Premier League adventure, and the other a seasoned veteran, revered almost as a cherished relic.

Emerging talent Carlos Baleba took to the field for his 82nd top-flight match. However, his evening was prematurely ended just 22 minutes in—more on that soon—when he made way for James Milner. On this memorable night, Milner matched Gareth Barry’s milestone of 637 Premier League appearances.

Inside Villa Park, there was widespread appreciation—though not from the unfortunate Baleba—as Milner reached Barry’s longstanding record, originally set in 2018, at the very club where he once played 100 top-flight games. He has the opportunity to surpass it later this month in a match against Brentford.

Milner’s remarkable achievement served as a testament not only to Baleba but to every player on the field, illustrating the exceptional standards necessary to maintain such a lengthy career at the highest level.

Having made his top-tier debut 8,494 days ago, the 40-year-old Milner was still orchestrating play as Brighton nearly thwarted Villa’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot.

James Milner equalled a Premier League record for appearances in a defeat at Aston Villa

AT LAST, A GOAL… NOW BUILD ON IT

This was a night for the experienced heads and after four and a half hours without a Villa goal at Villa Park, they were given a helping hand by an opposition player in what Unai Emery will hope can open the floodgates for the remainder of the campaign.

On his 200th Villa appearance, man of the match Tyrone Mings rose highest to nod, with the help of Hinshelwood, in the 86th-minute corner on a night where it was not hard to see why goals have been so hard for Emery’s side to come by.

Villa have had a brilliant season and no one should suggest otherwise. But what that residency in the top three has done, though, is mask the fact that they are struggling badly to score goals at home.

Emery’s side rank 13th in the league for goals scored at home with just 19 and on this evidence it wasn’t hard to see why. Just one shot on target from 10 in the first half highlighted the wastefulness that has kicked in.

With tricky visits from Leeds United – who showed at Chelsea how formidable they can be on the road – Chelsea, West Ham, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, Villa must hope Mings’ late winner turns the tide for a stale strike force.

Jack Hinshelwood’s own goal, after Tyrone Mings’ bullet header, separated the two sides

BALEBA’S TOUGH LOVE

Carlos Baleba was buried his head in his shirt and was inconsolable as he returned to the bench far sooner than he or any of his team-mates could have anticipated.

Not injured, just hooked by his manager who felt if he didn’t take the Cameroonian off himself he’d find himself sent off by referee Peter Bankes, who booked Baleba for a tug on Morgan Rogers after just one minute and 51 seconds.

A second foul – which should have drawn a second yellow – followed soon after and in an instant Milner was stripped and ready to come on.

This 13-touches, zero tackles, zero interceptions and just four completed passes performance, which lasted just 22 minutes, was emblematic of Baleba’s growing pains.

Last season the 22-year-old was substituted off as a starter in 15 games from 34. He’s already equalled that tally through 21 league games. This disastrous outing was the fifth time he’s started and been taken off before the second half this season.

Rising star midfielder Carlos Baleba is learning the hard way that success is earned, not given

‘It is about him and us making him available for 90 minutes. That’s the next step for him,’ Hurzeler said recently of Baleba.

‘We want to have him on the pitch for 90 minutes. Therefore, we have to keep working with him and being patient with him as well.’

Hurzeler won’t baby Baleba, though, and nor should he, even with the disappointment of not landing a summer move to Manchester United no doubt still playing on the player’s mind.

A bit of advice to Baleba: play the long game, stick it out with Brighton for next season and trust the process in your development. Rush to the top and he’ll find it’s a long way to fall.