The Danish international signed for Villa in the summer of 2003, joining Gavin McCann in the exodus from relegated Sunderland.

Former Sunderland boss Peter Reid snapped up Sorensen after losing Lionel Perez to neighbours Newcastle. At just £500,000, the big Dane was one of Reid's wisest ever investments.

After breaking Sunderland's club record for the most clean sheets in one season during his first year in English football, Sorensen simply went from strength to strength.

LAST SEASON

It was a strange season for the Danish international goalkeeper, who missed a sizeable chunk of the season through injury but was still one of the club's highest appearance-makers.

Sorensen was forced out of action when he injured his knee during the home match against Middlesbrough at the end of November, and didn't return to the side until the league match against Manchester United in January.

He was again laid low before the current campaign got under way, suffering a hamstring injury in Villa's opening pre-season friendly in Toronto, and was still in the process of recovering as the 2007-08 campaign got under way.

Sorensen became the 100th player to appear for Villa in the Premier League when he made his debut against Portsmouth at Fratton Park after arriving from Sunderland in 2003.

He has subsequently played over 150 games for Villa's first team, as well as representing his country on a regular basis.