Gary Gardner is among Aston Villa’s longest tenured players, making his debut in 2011. Nearly six years late, the promise Gardner showed as a 19-year old has diminished due to injury and inconsistency. Thursday’s signing of Glenn Whelan further clouded the midfielder’s claret and blue future.
Flashback to 12 months ago and Gary Gardner was primed for a breakout season at Aston Villa. The Englishman returned from a successful loan at Nottingham Forest – ready to bring his boyhood club out of the Championship, and back to the Premier League.
Flashback six years earlier and Gary Gardner was starting Premier League matches as a 19-year old central midfielder. His debut, a 3-1 victory over Chelsea offered a world of promise to Villa supporters.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, at least yet, in his career.
Gardner made 27 total appearances last season; 19 of them starts with a further eight substitute appearances. However, the signing of Glenn Whelan from Stoke City should concern Gardner on his aspects of playing time.
Aston Villa has no less than five central midfielders firmly ahead of him on the totem pole. Mile Jedinak, Henri Lansbury, Conor Hourihane, Birkir Bjarnason, and Glenn Whelan all are preferred to manager Steve Bruce.
Leandro Bacuna has returned to the club after competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup as well. Furthermore, highly-rated youngster Callum O’Hare is training with the first team, too.
The Birmingham Mail reported Friday that Gary Gardner is omitted from the Villa squad on their pre-season trip to Germany.
It’s hardly a surprise to see Gardner omitted. The case being several players are ahead of him currently in defensive midfield and central midfield. He still has hope to make his claim, but time is running out at Aston Villa. Now at 25, and finally healthy, Gardner’s place may be elsewhere.
Next: Glenn Whelan joins Aston Villa on 2-year deal
Verdict:
A loan move to a fellow Championship side seems a positive for all parties. Gardner is contracted to Aston Villa until 2020 thanks to a new deal less than one year ago.
Gardner would receive consistent playing time to prove his worth – for a club in need of his passing range. Aston Villa are relieved of his wages for a year and collect interest while Gardner (hopefully) succeeds.
At the current rate, finding playing time for Gary Gardner at Villa is proving impossible.