The talented Czech Republic midfielder was signed from Portsmouth in the summer of 2005 after two seasons at Fratton Park.

Patrik Berger has a sweet left foot, which makes him dangerous from set-pieces. He came to prominence during Euro 96 and moved to Liverpool soon after, making over 100 Premier League appearances. He joined Pompey in 2003 and scored on his Premier League debut for the club in the 2-1 win over Villa on the opening Saturday of the 2003-04 season.

LAST SEASON

At the age of 33, Patrik Berger still has a lot to offer in the Premier League - as he proved during a memorable finale to last season.

The Czech Republic was in magnificent form, earning himself a 12-month contract extension with performances which were a throwback to his prime with Liverpool and his national team.

At one stage he was loaned to Stoke City after refusing to play for the reserves and at that stage it looked as if his days in claret and blue were over. But after returning to Villa Park early in the New Year, his fortunes changed dramatically as his season simply got better and better.

Initially used as a substitute capable of producing something special late in a game, he made his first Villa starting appearance in 18 months against Blackburn on Easter Saturday - and was a revelation at Ewood Park.

Berger scored his first goal for the club and set up the winner for Gabby Agbonlahor before understandably being withdrawn six minutes from time. He was also on target at Villa Park for the first time in the final home match against Sheffield United, and his superb effort was voted the club's Goal of the Season.