Villa midfielder Craig Gardner believes “role model” Gareth Barry deserves a warm welcome when he makes his eagerly-anticipated return to Villa.

Monday night’s visit of City will see former claret and blue captain Barry return to B6 for the first time since swapping Villa Park for the riches of Manchester City in a £12million move this summer.

Many Villa supporters were angered by the move after Barry had previously claimed he would only leave for Champions League football, but Gardner has urged fans to remember the 12 years’ service Barry gave to the club.

He said: “It was a shame to lose Gareth but he’s moved on. He’s a brilliant player. He’s fantastic for England, he was fantastic for Villa, so he should get a good reception.

“Hopefully for Gareth’s sake he does get a brilliant reception, because I think he deserves it for what he’s done.”

The 22-year-old had hoped to step into void left by Barry in the centre of midfield, but has again found himself on the periphery this term following Fabian Delph’s arrival and the form of Stiliyan Petrov, Steve Sidwell and – before his spat with Martin O’Neill – Nigel Reo-Coker.

Gardner revealed he still picks up the phone to Barry for advice even now.

He added: “Gareth was absolutely unbelievable for Aston Villa for the 10 years he was here. He didn’t put a foot wrong. He was a role model.

“I looked up to him and I think a lot of people looked up to him. I spoke to him when I was up, I spoke to him when I was down and he was just a top class pro.

“Even now I can pick up the phone to him and I know he’ll speak to me.”