Gardner takes his chance at Villa

Oct 8 2007 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MATCH-winner Craig Gardner earned more plaudits from Martin O'Neill but has been told not to take his set-piece role for granted.

O'Neill saw Gardner convert his second free-kick in as many games.

"Craig has a bit of competition on free kicks - Ashley Young and Shaun Maloney are very capable of getting the ball up and over the wall and down again," said O'Neill. "Craig goes a more direct route but that's two in two games for him now."

Gardner has been in fine form since returning to the midfield in the last two games.

"He's got the chance to play in midfield now which is where he wants to play," said O'Neill. "I think he will have learned a bit from playing full-back, but I'm pleased with him - he's only a kid, but he's fighting to establish himself and he can strike a really good ball."