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Players who played for both Aston Villa and Liverpool
11 famous players have played for both Aston Villa and Liverpool, including Philippe Coutinho, Pepe Reina, Robbie Keane and James Milner. 4 of them played for Aston Villa first; 7 started at Liverpool.
Did you know?
- David JamesEarliest on this list to play for both: Liverpool (1992–1999), then Aston Villa from 1999.
Philippe CoutinhoLatest on this list: Liverpool first, then Aston Villa from 2022.
James MilnerMost separate spells: 3 across the two clubs (Aston Villa 2005–2006, 2008–2010; Liverpool 2015–2023).
All 11 players, most famous first
- Philippe Coutinho
Brazil · Forward · born 1992- Aston Villa
- 2022–2025
- Liverpool
- 2013–2018
Pepe Reina
Spain · Goalkeeper · born 1982- Aston Villa
- 2020
- Liverpool
- 2005–2014
- Aston Villa
- 2012
- Liverpool
- 2008–2009
- James Milner
England · Midfielder · born 1986- Aston Villa
- 2005–2006, 2008–2010
- Liverpool
- 2015–2023
- Aston Villa
- 2005–2007
- Liverpool
- 2002–2005
- Peter CrouchEngland · Forward · born 1981
- Aston Villa
- 2002–2004
- Liverpool
- 2005–2008
- Joe ColeEngland · Midfielder · born 1981
- Aston Villa
- 2014–2016
- Liverpool
- 2010–2013
- Emile HeskeyEngland · Forward · born 1978
- Aston Villa
- 2009–2012
- Liverpool
- 2000–2004
- Christian Benteke
Belgium · Forward · born 1990- Aston Villa
- 2012–2015
- Liverpool
- 2015–2016
- Stewart DowningEngland · Midfielder · born 1984
- Aston Villa
- 2009–2011
- Liverpool
- 2011–2013
- David JamesEngland · Goalkeeper · born 1970
- Aston Villa
- 1999–2001
- Liverpool
- 1992–1999
Years are club stints from Wikidata (snapshot 2026-09-28); a loan that runs straight into a transfer is shown as one stint. “from YEAR” means no end year is recorded — it is not a claim about a current club.
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Questions
How many famous players have played for both Aston Villa and Liverpool?
11 in our data, including Philippe Coutinho, Pepe Reina, Robbie Keane and James Milner. The list covers famous footballers only — players covered by at least 45 language editions of Wikipedia — so it is not every player who ever wore both shirts.
Who was the first player on this list to play for both clubs?
In our data, David James: Liverpool (1992–1999), then Aston Villa (1999–2001).
Where does this list come from?
Club careers from Wikidata, the open database behind Wikipedia (public domain, CC0), snapshot 2026-09-28. Senior spells count, loans included when Wikidata records them; youth and reserve teams do not. Found a mistake? Tell us via the About page.