Source: Daily_Mail
Gardner set for Birmingham as 'sorry' O'Neill prepares to sell Villa midfielder
Martin O'Neill will be 'sorry' to see Craig Gardner leave Aston Villa but accepts the midfielder wants regular first-team football.Gardner looks poised to complete a move to Birmingham if the two clubs can agree on a fee after the initial offer for the player was rejected.The England Under-21 international has had only a bit-part role to play at Villa this season. Walking away: England Under 21 international Craig Gardner looks set to leave Aston Villa for rivals Birmingham City in a bid to secure first team footballWolves have also inquired about Gardner but Birmingham are the only club to have so far made a definite bid.'I know Craig wants to play. In an ideal world, I would love to keep him. He is as genuine as they come,' said O'Neill. Birmingham's £3m Craig Gardner bid rebuffed by Aston Villa as Martin O'Neill joins chase for Cardiff's Adam MatthewsBirmingham ready to tie down manager McLeish to contract extensionVilla boss O'Neill insists: Shorey isn't for sale but if somebody wants him.ASTON VILLA FC