O’Neill still expects Gardner to leave

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill admits that he still expects midfielder Craig Gardner to leave the club.

Birmingham had a £3million bid for the former England U21 international turned down over the weekend.

O’Neill said: “I know Craig wants to play. In an ideal world, I would love to keep him. He is as genuine as they come.

“There are some players who have left in my time here who haven’t made a most incredible contribution.

“But I would be sorry to see Craig go but accept the fact if two clubs agree a fee, that he would probably would go.

“Birmingham have made a bid and, as it stands, it hasn’t been accepted.

“There have been other enquiries but, as we speak, those other clubs haven’t made a bid.”

[Source: The Mirror]