Gary Gardner targets first-team after signing new Aston Villa contract

The 21-year-old has overcome two serious knee injuries and was out of contract next month but has committed his future to the club.

Gardner has signed after Marc Albrighton and Nathan Delfouneso were released and he believes he can make an impact next season.

"For me, it shows how much the club cares about me and sees me as a central player in the future," he said.

"The manager and other people at the club believe in me and know what I'm capable of. I want to be a big player for the team next season and I'm going to work as hard as I possibly can to demonstrate the potential they see in me.

"Obviously, it's been a frustrating two or so years for me. I injured my knee, the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), and I tried to get back too quick, which actually set me back a few months.

"I went to Sheffield Wednesday last season on loan, played through a foot injury and made it worse, so that was another setback.

"But that's the type of lad I am. I really want to do well here. This is my team, it's a brilliant football club and playing for Villa has always been my dream."

Gardner first tore his cruciate ligament in 2009 before suffering a similar injury in 2012 just days after featuring in Paul Lambert's first game at West Ham.

He made his debut against Chelsea in 2011 and has made 18 appearances for Villa, having also been loaned out to Coventry before a spell at Sheffield Wednesday last season.

He said: "Even when I was injured or when I just haven't been in the squad, I go to the games, even the away games and soak it all in, sitting with the away fans and kicking every ball for the team.

"I'm still young but I want to establish myself and show everybody what I can do.

"With the England Under-21s, I've experienced international football and it's three years ago now since I made my Villa debut, so it's up to me now to work my way into the team again and stay there."