Villa sign Gary Gardner and Callum Robinson on two-year deals

Midfielder Gardner has rubber-stamped a contract which was agreed at the end of the season, while forward Robinson – who made his first team breakthrough toward the end of the last campaign – has also committed his immediate future to the claret and blues.

Gardner, 22, has overcome two serious knee injuries in recent seasons which have hampered his progress but boss Paul Lambert believes the Birmingham-born star still has much to offer.

"I'm buzzing," said Gardner. "The club have been brilliant with me.

"I've had a bit of bad luck in the past two years but I'm feeling good and strong now so hopefully I can repay them.

"I've been here from a young age and I've been to Villa games all my life as a fan so it is a dream come true to play for the first team like I have done.

"Obviously injuries have hampered my progress but I've learned a lot from my experiences and I'm definitely stronger. The people around me have made me stronger, too.

"The club have been superb so now I want to kick on. I feel like everyone is right behind me."

Robinson, meanwhile, made five substitute appearances towards the end of last season.

"I am absolutely delighted to sign a new deal here," said the England under-19 international.

"Now it's about pushing on and progressing.

"Last season was fantastic. I didn't expect so many positives to come out of it. To work as hard as I have and then have the gaffer give me a chance with the first team, it was amazing. I have loved every minute of it.

"It was a really good season and now, after signing my new contract, I want better ones in the coming years in claret and blue.

"I really want to push on and get more minutes for the first team. That's my aim. I want to keep scoring goals too."