The last Aston Villa men in England’s FIFA World Cup squad have all retired from international football today.
Aston Villa once again have representatives in England’s FIFA World Cup squad for the 2026 tournament. Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa have all made the final cut for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
However, Villa did not have a single representative in England’s squad for Qatar 2022. In fact, the club had not been represented in a Three Lions World Cup squad since South Africa 2010.
No wonder there has rarely been a better time than the present for Aston Villa fans to take pride in their club’s contribution to the national team. So, who were the last Aston Villa players included in England’s FIFA World Cup squad?
James Milner
The 40-year-old midfielder recently announced his retirement. He was part of the Aston Villa squad during the 2005/06 campaign on loan from Newcastle United before joining permanently in 2008 and remaining at Villa Park until 2010.
Milner featured three times at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He played in the opening match against the United States and then started the final two group-stage games against Slovenia and Germany.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City man provided the assist for the winning goal against Slovenia, helping England progress to the knockout stage.
The Leeds United academy product, who was just 24 at the time, later earned another World Cup call-up for Brazil 2014, although he made only one appearance in that tournament. Overall, Milner made 61 appearances for England, scoring one goal and providing six assists.
Stephen Warnock
The former left-back was part of Aston Villa’s squad from 2009 to 2013, including a brief loan spell with Bolton Wanderers in 2012.
Warnock travelled to South Africa 2010 as a deputy to Ashley Cole. At the time, he was already 28 years old but did not make a single appearance during the tournament.
The defender ultimately earned only two England caps in his career, with the 2010 World Cup remaining the only major tournament of which he was a part.
Emile Heskey
The former striker was the only Aston Villa player to appear in all four of England’s matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Heskey started the opening two games against the United States and Algeria before appearing as a substitute in the remaining fixtures. He provided the assist for Steven Gerrard’s goal in the opener against the United States, giving England an early lead before Robert Green’s costly error.
The former Liverpool forward was part of the Aston Villa squad from 2009 to 2012. The 2010 World Cup was his final appearance at the tournament, as he was already 32 years old at the time.
He had previously represented England at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Overall, Heskey earned 62 caps for the Three Lions, scoring seven goals and registering 12 assists.