Gary Gardner has impressed since Steve Bruce took over at Aston Villa.
Gary Gardner has told BBC Sport that he is determined to keep his place in Aston Villa’s first-team.
Gardner has been recalled to Villa’s starting line-up by Steve Bruce, and the central-midfielder has caught the eye recently.
The 24-year-old scored Villa’s goal in their 1-1 draw with Birmingham City, and he has generally impressed with his wholehearted approach.
Gardner is now determined to keep his good form up, and insists that he will not be relinquishing his position in Bruce’s starting line-up.
“It took a while to get my chance and I won’t let it go easily,” he said. “I’ve worked my socks off on the pitch and looked after myself off the pitch and taken it with both hands.”
Gardner has waited a long time for a consistent run in Villa’s first-team, despite being regarded as one of their most promising youngsters for a number of seasons.
The central midfielder has previously impressed on loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion, but up until now he has not shown best form in a Villa shirt.
Gardner struggled to make an impact under Roberto Di Matteo earlier on this season, but Bruce seems to be getting the best out of the academy graduate.
Villa are still unbeaten under Bruce, and have taken eight points from the 55-year-old manager’s first four games in charge.
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