One player that will definitely be staying at Aston Villa is Gary Gardner! Gardner has been riddled with injuries over the past few years and it seemed as though he’d be released with Albrighton and Delfouneso. But, Aston Villa took a (slightly) unexpected turn and offered Gardner a new 2-year deal.
Gardner hasn’t featured for Villa since the 2013 final day of the Premier League against Wigan as a substitute, since then he did go out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday and played roughly 3 games for the Championship club. But Gardern’s career has been heavily hindered by injuries, as of late, Gardner has been really struggling with an ACL injury that he even admits might’ve been a little bit rushed.
Still, there is a lot of hype around Gardner and at the age of 21 he really needs to step up to the first team and prove his abilities in the top flight. He’s already targeting the first team and I reckon he’ll get there, especially with uncertainties around the entire club. Still, back in February or March Gardner was told that if he failed to break into the first team he wouldn’t be offered a new contract, so it does surprise me a little that he’s been offered a new contract. I of course want to see him have a fair go but I wonder who was the main man behind Gardner’s new contract.
Good news IF he stays fit, I some how doubt he will get through the season injury free.one year contract imo
Very good news and he should be given a real chance next season, he has more quality than our entire current midfield. As Giddy says though, staying injury free will be a tough ask!
Why is everyone so ecstatic about Gardner. From what iv seen of him he us very lightweight and nothing special. Am I missing something
A proper box to box midfielder with ability that we are crying our for his performances in the CL for kids were nothing short of superb mate. He’s miles better than Delph, the most overrated Villa midfielder in our history
Saying he is better than Delph is ridiculous! What attributes does he have exactly that are better than Delph? Dribbling-no ,passing-no, defending-no, skill-no, shooting- possibly, so ya a way better player than the player of the season! The only thing Gardner is better at is getting injured but if he can come back from that like Delph did then i think he will do well and i really hope he does.
Mate, picking player of the season at Villa is like trying to pick the next primeminister, they’re all shite but you have to choose one. Delph is exacltly that and always will be and you’ll notice that if we ever get decent midfielders.
Agree with Delph as player of season but still don’t rate him. He was just the best of a truly awful bunch of players. Even Heskey would of stood out amongst that lot
first good news in a long while ~ so much depressing news makes u wonder if its all worth it, but i like gardner he has sumat wot westwood and delph don’t eye for a goal, villa lack a goal threat outside the box, he has this like his brother does.
hmm he has plenty of attributes that delph doesn’t have, shooting from distance is one both from open play and at set pieces, set pieces on the whole i would say, he is a corner taker too.
Its also fair to say he has a better range of passing than Delph, but that wouldn’t be hard.
From his next gen outings, he showed a maturity in games, a captains trait or more of an ability to take responsibility in midfield. If he follows through on that, its sorely needed in our outfit.
They both share the box to box attribute, however Delph can go past his man, and is far far pacier than Gardner.
actually thinking back to this season, delph scored a few from distance this year. considering the lack of possession we had and his defensive duties, that is not bad going.
That finish against liverpool and the flick finish against chelsea were fantastic.
I think it is harsh to say Delph is overrated, and its a little presumptuous to say Gardner is the real deal yet.
( what is Delph being rated as anyways? to me he was an attacking naturally left sided midfield teenager with bags of potential. He became an injury plagued lightweight defensive midfielder who can’t tackle under O neill and mcLeish, not sure if houllier played him or was he injured at that point?
under Lambert, he has regained his fitness and improved in the two full seasons injury free. He has been able to get further forward this year and he has been one of our best midfielders this season gone for it.
I feel with more possession based approach as well as an actual dedicated defensive midfielder behind him to allow him to go forward more, he will improve again next season.
Cant be getting paid much, as he was on the same Ryanair flight as me last night that came back from malaga
could be just tight or likes to fly economy as some rich people do