Laursen hangs up boots

The 31-year-old defender has endured an injury-plagued career and has been out of action since suffering a knee injury while playing for Villa in January.

The former Denmark international, who made 53 appearances for his country, said: "I cannot recover from my knee injury so I have to retire.

"Over the last few weeks I've had to decide whether to go ahead with another operation or to retire.

"My decision was to retire as it would have been a very big and difficult operation. At this point it is better for my health and future life."

Laursen was faced with a lengthy rehabilitation period on his right knee before he would return to full fitness and has opted to retire rather than undergo another a major operation.

Laursen joined Villa in the summer of 2004, however, his formative years at the club were plagued by a troublesome left knee injury which also restricted him during his earlier spell at AC Milan.

The Dane had seemingly shaken off those concerns in recent years as he established himself as a rock at the heart of coach Martin O'Neill's defence, his good form earning the reward of the Villa captaincy at the start of this season.

Laursen, who admitted the last two seasons have been the best of his playing career, added: "It is so strange, so weird that I've made an announcement that I will no longer play again whereas half a year ago I was flying.

"Football has always been my life. I've been a professional since 1997 and done nothing else. I'm now almost 32 and you cannot play football forever. You have to stop some time."