10 Players Who Probably Regret Leaving Aston Villa

Gary Charles had endured severe injury problems during his time at Aston Villa but playing regularly in the 1998-99 campaign had attracted interest from abroad and he would move to Benfica in January.

No-one can be judged for switching Birmingham for Portugal but it had nothing but a detrimental effect on Charles's career. It could be argued that he may have only continued to suffer fitness issues had he remained at Villa Park but after suffering another injury less than a week after his transfer, he probably wished he had.

During the second half of that same season, the defender made just four appearances for the European giants although he did manage to score a rare goal. He would have hoped for a second chance the following year but we spent the entire summer on the sidelines and would find himself on the transfer list.

Less than 10 months after his departure, he returned to England with West Ham United but he barely played during his three years at Upton Park and would eventually retire at the age of 32.