Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton nets Premier League's 20,000th goal in Arsenal defeat

Albrighton's milestone effort came nine minutes into the second half after a mistake by Gunners defender Thomas Vermaelen. Yossi Benayoun scored a late winner as Arsenal won 2-1.

Villa donated the £20,000 cheque from Barclays for the 20,000th goal to their official charity partner, the Acorns children's hospice.

"It was great to score the goal," Albrighton said. "It’s one of those things you will remember for the rest of your life, and people will remind me of it in years to come.

"It was great to score in front of the Holte End but it’s been soured a bit by the fact that we lost the game."

Brian Deane set the ball rolling when he scored the Premier League's first in 1992. Les Ferdinand grabbed the 10,000th goal for Tottenham against Fulham in 2001.

Earlier, Arsenal striker Robin van Persie had equalled Thierry Henry's club record of 34 for the most Premier League goals in a calendar year before Benayoun's 87th minute decider.

And on a night of landmark goals, a few minutes prior to Albrighton's goal, Ryan Giggs scored the 19,999th goal to put Manchester United 3-0 ahead at Fulham.

It meant he has now scored in all 20 seasons since the Premier League replaced the old First Division.