Gareth Barry is fast approaching the 10th anniversary of his debut for Aston Villa as a 17-year-old against Sheffield Wednesday in May 1998.And as that milestone draws nearer so does another one of which the influential England midfielder would be particularly proud - 400 appearances in competitive first-team games for Villa.
Earlier this season, Barry became the youngest player to make 300 appearances in the Premier League at the age of 26 years and 247 days.
Villa legend Charlie Aitken made 656 league and cup appearances for the Midlands club between 1959 and 1976, and that was a proud record that looked unlikely to be broken.
However, Barry's game has been rejuvenated since Martin O'Neill became Villa manager 18 months ago, and Aitken's record could be seriously challenged if Barry remains at Villa Park for another five years - by which time the club's captain will still only be 32.
Barry, fighting to shake off a bruised pelvis in time to face Liverpool on Monday night, said: "I think about the appearance record but you can't look too far ahead.
"Having said that, I signed a four-year contract last season and I want to play as many games as possible and be successful.
"If that means topping up appearances, and climbing higher and higher towards the record holders, then that would be a big bonus for me. I take it a game at a time and a year at a time - but hopefully records come with it.
"You certainly take one season at a time. I've got two and a half years left of my current contract and hopefully in that time there might be another 100 appearances there and who knows from there?"
Barry added: "You don't tend to see too many players staying at one club for a long period of time but I've always felt settled at Villa. Apart from one spell, I've always been picked and have very rarely been left out.
"Over the years you realise you're playing a lot of games - and I want to play in every game - but to suddenly reach 300 Premier League games at the age of 26 was an achievement in itself."
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