Craig Gardner insists he is in no rush to relinquish his Villa shirt after finally ending his 10-month wait for a Premier League start.

Gardner was named in Martin O’Neill’s starting line-up for a top-flight game for the first time since March in Tuesday’s win at Portsmouth, coming into the side at the expense of Steve Sidwell.

The England under-21 star impressed in a right-wing role, covering for James Milner, who was switched to the left flank in the absence of Ashley Young.

With Young again missing for Saturday’s visit of Wigan, Gardner hopes he has done enough to keep his place.

He said: “It’s been hard (being out of the side), but you have to look at how well we have been playing. But the fact we were still winning and yet the manager decided to put me back in was a massive confidence boost.

“I think things went well, it was a really good result but we are now up against a decent side in Wigan who are on a good run. It’s up to the gaffer to pick his side, hopefully I have taken my chance.”

He revealed there are no hard feelings on Sidwell’s part.

Gardner added: “I don’t see it like I’ve taken his place. He is a big name and he has come from a big club, but we are all friends together here.”