Former Villa playmaker Patrik Berger has been forced to hang up his boots after failing to overcome a persistent knee injury.
Berger, who spent seven years at Liverpool before moving on to Portsmouth and Villa, signed a two-year contract with Sparta Prague in May 2008 but injury has forced him into early retirement.
Sparta coach Jozef Chovanec said: "Patrik told me yesterday, 'It's over. My knee doesn't support the burden anymore'.
"We have to deal with it.
"Thank you Patrik for everything you have done for Sparta and the entire Czech football."
Berger also spent time in the Potteries at Stoke City during an 11-year spell in England and won 44 caps for the Czech Republic.
The midfielder was a key part of the Czech team which reached the Euro 96 final, where they lost 2-1 to Germany Wembley.
Source: Team Talk
Source: Team Talk