Stuttgart star Thomas Hitzlsperger won't rule out a future return to former club Aston Villa.

"I wouldn't say I regret leaving Villa," he told the Birmingham Mail. "I had a fantastic five years there, and I still follow the team. Villa developed me both as a player and a person and allowed me to achieve my goals.

"I am very grateful to what Villa gave me. I was happy to win the league with Stuttgart last season, but you never know what could happen in the future."