The highly-rated young midfielder broke into the Villa first team during the 2005-06 campaign, making his debut as a second-half substitute in the 4-0 win over Everton on Boxing Day.

He signed a new deal in February 2006 which will keep him at Villa Park until the summer of 2009.

He is an all-action player who is not afraid to put his foot in. He is a classic example of a box to box midfielder.

LAST SEASON

Craig Gardner is a young player living the dream of playing for the club he has always supported, although there were times last season when he must have wondered if that dream would be over almost as quickly as it had begun.

Having made his debut on Boxing Day 2005 and shown considerable promise in a number of other appearances, his career went back on hold when he reverted to reserve team football until just before Christmas.

Then, after starting four consecutive starts, he suffered a ruptured groin which turned out to be much more serious than he was led to believe.

But having regained his fitness, he produced some excellent performances in the final seven matches to underline his immense potential. He also scored his first Villa goal, in the 3-1 win at Middlesbrough, and followed up with a stunning volley at Bolton on the final day.