It was this exact week last year that the vibe about veteran midfielder Patrik Berger coming to Major League Soccer cooled off substantially. A big reason was his increased involvement in Martin O’Neill’s plans, bouncing back from a raucous fallout with O’Neill early in the year to be a regular contributor later on.

His tune has changed this season and there may be no turning back this time, simply because of his age (33) and a lack of demand for his services in the Villa scheme at the moment. O’Neill has fretted about Villa remaining the smallest squad in the Premiership and won’t likely just cut Berger loose as a result — especially if Thomas Sorenson’s uncut leash is any indication.

But here’s what Berger told Sky Sports News today:

“(Going to the United States) might be interesting but it would also depend on which club it is. At the moment I am favouring a return home.

“I am a free agent so outside England I can negotiate with anybody at any time.

“I do not know yet what will happen in the summer, but I want to have my future resolved as soon as possible.

“I would not like to stay (at Aston Villa) any longer.”