Cost £500k a game: Three Aston Villa midfielders that must leave after Whelan capture
Gary Gardner
Gardner managed to start just 18 Championship matches last season in the claret and blue of Villa, as he struggled to make an impression under Bruce.
The former Nottingham Forest midfielder is more defensively minded but is now likely to be way down the pecking order behind Whelan and Australia international Mile Jedinak.
Still only 25 years of age, Bruce could command a fee of around £2million to £3million for the midfielder and that could be crucial in helping Villa add to other areas of their squad that are in need of improvement.