ASTON Villa captain Martin Laursen has been forced into retirement at the age of just 31 by a persistent knee injury.

Laursen had not played since the 2-1 win against West Brom on January 10, when he aggravated the problem he picked up the previous month playing at West Ham.

He then suffered another setback in February at a Villa training camp in Dubai.

There was no guarantee that surgery on his right knee would enable him to play again, leaving Laursen with little option but to hang up his boots.

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, 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.

‘‘I was in the best shape of my life and playing every game. It is weird and I am really sad.

‘‘I’m now almost 32 and you cannot play football forever. You have to stop some time.’’