Aston Villa midfielder vows to stay and fight for his place

Sep 29 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

Craig Gardner

CRAIG Gardner is prepared to fight for his Villa future from the substitutes’ bench after declaring: “I’m not a quitter”.

The Brummie utility man has fallen down the pecking order for a starting slot in the centre of Martin O’Neill’s midfield.

With Stiliyan Petrov, Steve Sidwell, Fabian Delph and, until recently, Nigel Reo-Coker ahead of him Gardner’s chances have been restricted.

But, after his first start of the season in last week’s Carling Cup victory over Cardiff, the academy graduate is willing to bide his time. Villa fan Gardner rejected the chance to leave his boyhood club in the summer with Blues and Wolves expressing an interest in him.

“I’m a Villa player. I’m not a quitter,” said Gardner. “I want to fight and get into the team. That’s why I’m still here.

“Some things could have happened and I could have been gone, but I stayed here. I’m a fighter. I’ll get back in the team.

“I’ll work as hard as I can but we’ve got Siddy and Stan and all the boys are doing absolutely brilliant.”