Sky Blues snap up Villa starlet

21 year old Gary Gardner has been signed by Coventry City on loan until January 3, 2012. He is a current England under 21 international but has been unable to break into the Aston Villa first team.

Andy Thorn had this to say about the signing of Gardner, quoted on the official club website: "I am delighted to get him. Although I have been looking for a bit of experience, this was an opportunity I couldn`t pass up because Gary is such a talented lad.

'He`s over 6ft, has got a great engine, can tackle and he scores goals from midfield. He`s an England Under-21 international and a proper talent and we`ve beaten off a host of other clubs to get him because he likes to play football and likes the way we play, so he should be a good addition for us."

He will be challenging for a starting place when Coventry City visit the new Brighton and Hove Albion stadium this Saturday.

Feedback from Villa fans about the player himself has been very positive with many feeling he could be challenging for a first-team place with them rather than dropping down into the Championship.

Boss Alex McLeish, quoted in the Express and Star has said: "Gary is a player that everybody told me about when I came here and how he could burst into the first team almost straight away.

"But people forget he was out with a cruciate ligament injury for about a year. He is now starting to show the potential he has got.

"We are now seeing that in his performances and also getting a chance for his country at under-21 level.

"He is also chipping in with goals which is fantastic for his confidence."

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