Craig Gardner Up For Villa Fight

Villa's 20-year-old midfielder Craig Gardner is up for the challenge of new arrivals coming to Villa saying competition for places is good.

The combatative player said:

'Things are going really well for me at the moment and the games can't come quickly enough. I know I've got to keep playing well to keep my place in the team - even in the squad - but that's how it should be. The very best players enjoy that competition for places and it makes them even better players. I want to have to fight to get into the team. I'm a Villa fan and I want us to have the best squad possible.'

'If the manager brings in a few players in the summer, I'll have to work even harder when we come back, but that's the same for everyone, not just the younger players.'

And on the match v Portsmouth at 4pm this afternoon he says: 'I'd love to score at Villa Park. I've scored there plenty of times for the reserves, but to do it in front of a big crowd would be amazing. We need a home victory to build on the two away wins and it would be nice to end the season with two home wins.'

Adding: 'There's a buzz around the club at the moment and hopefully we can end this season well to give fans a taste of what's to come next year.'

Will be interesting to see if he starts this afternoon, certainly done enough by the looks of it to keep his place, or is Gavin McCann an automatic choice as he returns from suspension?

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