Most Premier League appearances: James Milner closing in on Gareth Barry record

James Milner's 633rd Premier League appearance in Brighton's goalless draw against Wolves saw him move to second in the competition's all-time appearances standings.

A true stalwart of the English game, 38-year-old Milner will now have his sights set on Gareth Barry's number one spot, with the Aston Villa legend the current Premier League appearances record holder on 653.

We take a look at the record books to shine a light on the careers of the Premier League's top 10 appearance makers of all time...

10) Phil Neville - 505

Part of the famous Class of '92 crop of distinguished young players to graduate from Manchester United's academy alongside brother Gary, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, Phil Neville went on to enjoy a long and esteemed Premier League career.

Spending 11 years as a first team player at Man Utd, Phil Neville moved on with Everton in 2005 where he would enjoy eight successful years before hanging up his boots in 2013.

A versatile player who could play both at full-back and in midfield, Neville was able to cleverly adapt his game as he grew older, and became Everton captain under David Moyes in January 2007.
 

9) Jamie Carragher - 508

Second on Liverpool's all-time appearances list behind Ian Callaghan, Jamie Carragher was the ultimate one club man for the Reds, turning out a total of 508 times for the Reds in the Premier League over a 17-year period between 1996 and 2013.

Growing into a reliable centre-back with a terrific ability to read the game, Carragher was a key leader on the pitch for Liverpool alongside fellow academy graduate Steven Gerrard, who became club captain in 2003.

Although the Premier League title eluded him, Carragher won a total of seven major trophies at Anfield.
 

8) Mark Schwarzer - 514

With goalkeepers often capable of playing at the highest level of football up until their late thirties or even early forties, it's no surprise to see a couple of shot-stoppers in this top 10 Premier League appearances list.

Australian Mark Schwarzer is eighth in the current standings on 514 appearances in England's top flight during a career in which he represented four different Premier League clubs - Middlesbrough, Fulham, Chelsea and Leicester City.

Playing up until the age of 43, Schwarzer is Australia's all-time leading appearance maker having received 109 caps for his country.
 

7) Emile Heskey - 516

Part of the Premier League's elite '100 club' comprised of players to have hit a century of goals in the top flight, Emile Heskey racked up 110 in total for five different clubs - Leicester City, Liverpool, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa.

A tall and powerful target man, Heskey's game was about more than just scoring goals, with the 62-times capped ex-England international regularly acting as a clever foil for a strike partner during his career.
 

6) Gary Speed - 535

A representative of four different Premier League clubs during his distinguished career - Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton Wanderers - Gary Speed was the ultimate midfield general.

A player who would unequivocally leave everything out on the pitch, Speed was an all-action operator and a natural leader, who captained his country Wales on 44 occasions.

A consummate professional, Speed went on to manage Wales after his playing career came to an end.
 

5) David James - 572

The second goalkeeper on this list, David James made a mammoth 572 Premier League appearances during his career for five different clubs - Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth.

A physically imposing goalkeeper at 6ft 4ins, James was an extremely athletic shot-stopper who was also a vocal organiser of his defence in front of him.

The Watford academy graduate received a total of 53 England caps, and was first choice between the sticks for his country at both Euro 2004 in Portugal and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
 

4) Frank Lampard - 609

One of the best players in Premier League history in the eyes of many, Frank Lampard was able to surpass the 600 appearance mark during a 20-year career in England's top flight.

Rising through the ranks at West Ham, it was at Chelsea where Lampard would grow into one of the best players in the country, winning 10 major honours with the Blues between 2001 and 2014.

Later turning out for Manchester City, Lampard is currently sixth in the Premier League's all-time goals standings on 177 despite playing in midfield.
 

3) Ryan Giggs - 632

Manchester United's all-time record appearance maker - representing the Red Devils on 963 occasions in all competitions across a 23-year-stay - Ryan Giggs is a club legend at Old Trafford.

Welshman Giggs also boasts the record as the player with the most Premier League title wins with 13, with his first arriving in 1992/93 and last 20 years later in 2012/13.

Bursting onto the scene as an academy graduate at United as a fleet-footed winger, Giggs was able to seamlessly transition into more of a cultured playmaker in the latter stages of his career.
 

2) James Milner - 633

The only active player in this top 10 list, Brighton's James Milner is hurtling fast towards Gareth Barry's outright record of 653 Premier League appearances.

A freakish athlete with an unrivalled work ethic, Milner made his Premier League debut at Leeds United aged 16 and has since played for five more top flight clubs - Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and now Brighton.

Milner has two Premier League title wins to his name from his time at Manchester City, and also won the Champions League at Liverpool in 2019.
 

1) Gareth Barry - 653

Although his former Villa and Man City teammate James Milner is now hot on his heels, Gareth Barry remains the Premier League's all-time appearance maker on 653.

An academy graduate at Aston Villa, Barry spent 11 years at Villa Park before moving on with Manchester City in 2009, winning the Premier League title at the Etihad in 2012.

Going on to play for both Everton and West Brom in the Premier League, the industrious and intelligent midfielder also received 53 caps for England between 2000 and 2012.