 Berger joined Villa in July 2005 on a free transfer from Portsmouth |
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill intends to offer a new contract to veteran Czech midfielder Patrik Berger. The 33-year-old was loaned out to Stoke in November after a breach of club discipline but has returned to feature in the club's most recent matches.
And O'Neill said: "I'll definitely be offering something to him.
"I never said his career here was finished. The realisation that playing in front of big crowds may be over has brought out the very best in him."
Berger had started in three matches prior to the weekend win at Manchester City but O'Neill said leaving him out was no reflection on his form.
The Villa boss told the club's official website: "The main thing is that he's been fit - or mostly fit - the two games in three days over Easter probably did for him.
"He has done brilliantly - really great. He didn't start on Saturday but I wouldn't read too much into that.
"If he can remain fit for a year - and that's the big thing - then I think he'd be able to make the same contribution as he has since January.
"He has given us that bit of composure which was what we needed at that stage because things were getting a bit frantic."
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