Bruce must sell under performing Aston Villa academy product (not Agbonlahor)
COMMENT by Amir Mir
It has been a season of struggle and more importantly a season of learning for Aston Villa following their relegation from the Premier League.
Old faces have left, new faces have been brought in, with some succeeding and others failing miserably – Ross McCormack and Roberto Di Matteo the standout names.
It is fair to say, academy product Gary Gardner is one of the hard working players in the Villa team, who was finally given his chance for the senior side after a number of loan spells.
The 24-year-old, who came through the club’s ranks with huge expectations, has been a disappointment in the middle of the park this term.
Gardner has underperformed as he has failed to provide any attacking quality or defensive strength, which has seen him go in and out of the team.
Steve Bruce will have some big decisions to make in the summer as Villa plan to put in the final pieces of their promotion jigsaw for the following campaign.
The players they bring in and ultimately sell could prove to be the difference in adding that strength in quality that Villa needs to win the Championship/earn promotion next season.
A decision has to be made on Gardener’s future and, in truth, Bruce should sell the midfielder if an offer were to come in for him.
It is highly unlikely that he will push ahead of the likes of Henri Lansbury, Conor Hourihne and Mile Jedinak next term.
Gardner’s poor all-round passing added with his lack of goals and assists means he cannot get ahead of Lansbury or Hourihane.
Added to that, he has failed to show, he can read the game as good as Jedinak or provide that shield for the back four.
In other Aston Villa news, fans react on Twitter as Tony Xia reveals this emphatic transfer view.
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