Villa midfielder Craig Gardner has revealed he rejected a summer move away from the club because he is “not a quitter” – and now aims to become a regular again.

The England under-21 star is yet to feature in the Premier League this season and has made just two starts to date, in the Europa League first leg against Rapid Vienna and the Carling Cup win over Cardiff.

Gardner, who was a regular starter when he first broke onto the scene, was linked with Birmingham and Wolves during the close season but opted to stay put to compete with Steve Sidwell, Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker and Fabian Delph for the central midfield berths.

And the 22-year-old insists he has no regrets over his decision.

He said: “I’m a Villa player. I’m not a quitter. 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 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 – all the boys are doing absolutely brilliantly. I haven’t spoken to the manager about it.”

Solihull-born Gardner admits he can have no arguments with playing so little, after the start Villa have made to the season.

He added: “Aston Villa’s a massive club and obviously I want to stay here as long as I possibly can, hopefully in the first team.

“It’s all about winning and if we’re still doing well and I’m in the squad – that’s what it’s about.

“Yes I do want to play football. Yes, it has been frustrating, but that’s football. You can’t expect to walk straight back in when the team’s doing well.”