Villa duo sign new deals

30 June 2014 17:17

Gary Gardner and Callum Robinson have signed new two-year deals at Aston Villa.

Midfielder Gardner, 22, put pen to paper on a fresh contract having agreed to extend his stay at Villa Park in May, while 19-year-old forward Robinson has also committed his future to the Barclays Premier League side after returning from holiday.

The pair have been at the club since childhood, with Gardner making 18 appearances for the Villa first team since making his debut in their 3-1 victory at Chelsea on New Year's Eve in 2011. Robinson has five senior appearances after making his bow against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup in September 2013.

Gardner, who has enjoyed loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry in the past and is the brother of former Villa midfielder Craig Gardner, told the club's official website: "I'm buzzing.

"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."

Forward Robinson said: "I am absolutely delighted to sign a new deal here. 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."

Source: PA