The former Czech international, who is out of contract at Fratton Park this summer, has agreed in principle to sign a two-year deal with Villa ending months of speculation surrounding the move. It has been common knowledge for several months that David O'Leary has wanted to sign the 31-year-old and now the move is one step closer to reaching its conclusion. Berger's agent, the improbably sleazily-named Barry Silkman confirmed: “There’s been a lot of interest in Patrik but he is going to Aston Villa. It is a done deal.”
The move would end a two-year spell at Portsmouth for Berger after spending seven seasons with Liverpool and he would prove an uncanny replacement for the outgoing Thomas Hitzlsperger, being a limited player with a sweet left foot. O’Leary is reportedly keen on bringing Milan Baroš to join his former international team-mate at Villa Park and when that fails he is likely to turn attentions could turn to Southampton's Kevin Phillips.