Sutton forced to call it quits

Aston Villa striker Chris Sutton has been forced to retire due to an eye injury.

The former Celtic, Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers star had been pondering his future for the past six months after sustaining blurred vision in a game against Manchester United in December.

That proved to be Sutton's last appearance for Villa, and his final bow in the game, as the eye condition has now caused him to hang up his boots.

Sutton's decision has been confirmed by his agent Tony McGill, who told the Daily Express: "Due to an eye injury sustained last year, Chris has been forced into retirement."

Sutton began his career at Norwich City, and made his professional debut in 1991 as he forged an impressive reputation at Carrow Road.

His versatility - being able to perform as a striker or central defender - helped convince Blackburn Rovers to pay £5million to sign him in 1994, and he formed a formidable partnership with Alan Shearer as the club won the Premiership title in his first season at Ewood Park.

A £10million move to Chelsea followed in 1999, but after scoring just one league goal at Stamford Bridge in 28 appearances, he joined Celtic a year later and enjoyed an upturn in his fortunes.

During his time in Scotland, Sutton won three league titles, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup trophy as he enjoyed a key role under Martin O'Neill.

Brief spells at Midlands rivals Birmingham and Aston Villa followed, whilst Sutton's solitary England cap came against Cameroon in 1997.