Craig Gardner Bio

Gardner has spent his Aston Villa filling in across the midfield and defence as the club struggled with injuries.

A hard-working, box-to-box midfielder, Gardner has been at the club all of his life and is held in high esteem by his manager Martin O'Neill.

First included in the first-team squad over the festive period in 2005, the midfielder soon made his debut when he replaced Steven Davis for the final seven minutes of the 4-0 home win over Everton on Boxing Day.

However, he failed to make his mark and spent more time in the reserves before an injury to his groin hindered his progress.

Returning to the first-team when he regained fitness, he scored his first professional goal for Villa in the 3-1 away win in April against Middlesbrough.

During the 2007/08 season, Gardner proved himself to be a competent free-kick taker and also showed his versatility as he filled in at right-back during another Villa injury crisis.

Tipped for future success by his manager, Gardner signed a new four year deal in 2007 which keeps him at Villa Park until June 2011.