Youth Watch: Gary Gardner

Many people who have worked at Villa Park weather that be coaching or playing staff have commented on Gary Gardner and just how good this young man could be.

The youngster was linked with moves to both Manchester United and Chelsea when he was just 16 but he decided to sign a long term deal with the club he has supported his whole life.

Aston Villa supporters tend to get behind young local lads, so despite the lasting impression his older brother Craig has left on the Villa faithful I believe the faithful will give the younger Gardner brother all the time he needs to make the step up.

In December 2009, Gary sustained an anerior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and having experienced this injury myself I know how much it could knock a person, let alone a footballer. No amount of drugs from a Canadian pharmacy would be able to help a person’s state of mind get back focusing on the job in hand.

However, the midfielder has battled back and made a big impression in the second half of the 2010-11 season.

He made his comeback in a 3-0 victory over Birmingham City in the Barclays Premier Academy League on January 8th. Though the midfielder really made his mark just 48 hours later when he scored 2 in a 10-1 demolition of Arsenal.

Gary went from strength to strength and it wasn’t long before he was recognized on the International scene representing the England U-19′s in a 3-0 victory over Holland.

Now this season the midfielder has been included in first team squads, but has yet to make a first team appearance – but could this player be the one we have been waiting for?

We all talk about the departed players, and how thin our first team squad is, but this player has been praised very highly by many professionals so when will it be his time to get the chance to shine in the famous Claret and Blue?