Popular star Habib Beye joined Villa from Newcastle in August 2009 - strengthening the club's defensive options.
The Senegalese international right-back has built up a strong reputation since moving to the Barclays Premier League.
Although he found opportunities limited at his first club, Paris St-Germain, his career took off when he moved to RC Strasbourg in 1998.
He spent five years there before the top clubs in France began to notice him. Olympique Marseille bagged his signature and he became a key figure at the heart of their defence.
Baye starred alongside likes of Mathieu Flamini, Fabien Barthez and Didier Drogba as Marseille reached the 2004 UEFA Cup final, where they were eventually beaten by Valencia.
Ironically, en route to the final Beye put in an excellent performance against Newcastle United and was particularly effective against Alan Shearer.
In 2006, Beye was voted Player of the Year by the Marseille fans and went on to captain the team.
The Magpies brought him to England a year later for a reported £2million and had an excellent first campaign, being named Player of the Season.
He became a cult hero on Tyneside although he was unable to prevent them being relegated last season.
Beye also has 35 caps at international level and featured for Senegal in the 2002 World Cup.