\[\ a^{2} - x^{2} + 4x - 4 = a^{2} - \left( x^{2} - 4x + 4 \right) =\]
\[= a^{2} - (x - 2)^{2} =\]
\[= \left( a - (x - 2) \right)\left( a + (x - 2) \right) =\]
\[= (a - x + 2)(a + x - 2)\]