Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Monday October 8 2007
Time: 11:46AM
UK time is: 22:59:06
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Gardner - Positive Fighting Talk!
Craig Gardner says he'll keep taking the free kicks after telling his team mates 'If I'm scoring, I'm not being moved off them!' The uncompromising Villa midfielder, who seems to be getting better by the game which has earnt him England U21 recognition, said after his second goal in a week,
'I want to get around the 10-goal mark and after scoring two in eight, it can be done. I'd like to be on free kicks for good - both were fairly close in and it was the same free kick, hard and low. I'm sure I'll get more goals but I've just got to keep it up now. We'll see whether I can bend one in the top corner - they're all big games but I'll save those for the even bigger games!'
He does however admit he has some tough competition for the free kick specialist tag, 'David Beckham has been renowned for his free kicks, but we've got Shaun Maloney, who is unbelievable at them as well. We've got Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Shaun, Stiliyan Petrov and myself who can take them, so I'm sure we'll vary it.'
'Myself and Shaun practice them, but when it comes to games, it's different - there's a big wall in front of you, the crowd all around you and the keeper to beat. I wouldn't say I'm our free kick specialist - I just stood up and smacked it, it went in and I went off celebrating. If they don't go in, I'm disappointed, but the last two have gone in and I'm sure I'll take more.'
He also says when asked if Villa can build on their placing and go fourth 'what's stopping us?' explaining 'I don't think anyone will be surprised - people expect us to be up there with the players and manager we've got. 'We've beaten Chelsea and West Ham, we drew at Tottenham so why not? It's definitely the right time to be playing Manchester United. We beat Chelsea, so we'll see if we can get a result out of Man U. Let's go and get it.'
That is the one thing about having such a young team, they have a 'sod it, we can beat anyone' attitude, and who is to say they aren't right?!
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Your Comments
This kid will be a Villa legend. Genuine supporter as well.
krfeskivilla
i ******** love Craig Gardner! The next Paul Scholes?
simonbigron
gardener will be class, i love his pre match picture they put on the big screens, he looks like an escaped axe murderer on them - effin quality.
Stig
I dont care who takes them, hard and low may well be the way to go. Causes mayhem if the ball actually gets a deflection as you can not defend against it.
col8
Lampard has made a career out of these low and hard deflections.
Gardner seems better, even last year he scored two scorchers in the final month of the season.
Villan444
Gardner WILL be a legend, but he needs a haircut first. The one he has looks like his mom did it.
gwyllum18
The only problem I have is that it's becoming difficult to accomodate Barry in the middle and that's where he is his most effective. Don't think he's at his best at left midfield.
Gazvilla
Anyone missing Davis?
fatloser
I've stopped trying to hit him fatloser.
The Fear
So have his team mates at Fulham JF, cos he never seems to have the ball
fatloser
Pity he's had to pull out of international duty with Stu Pearces England under 21's. Hope that injury is nothing too serious. Hats off to Craig. He's come on in leaps and bounds these past twelve months, and is now cementing his place as a Villa Park regular. The sky is the limit for the 100% Villan. Makes you think that all MON has to do in his search for a right back, is march down towards the Holte End before the Man Utd game, whistle, and another supporter will step out of the crowd ready, willing, and capable of signing on the dotted, and filling our problem position. Do we have the most talented supporters in the country?
glensider
Gardner is living the dream that all Villa fans have from the time they first kick a ball. Good luck to the lad, here's hoping he has a long and successful Villa career.
jonah
Two deflected goals this season to his name. Ashley Young is class!!! never mind Gardner the boy will be an England regular
cockeril
Agreed Jonah. He must be in seventh heaven right now. He has to be.
glensider
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