A number of Championship clubs are interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner, according to respected sports journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The 25-year-old has long struggled to hold down a place in the Aston Villa line-up, being farmed out on loan on numerous occasions since making his debut with the Villans back in 2011.

The all action midfielder spent much of last term on loan with Nottingham Forest, and the recent arrival of Glenn Whelan pushes Gardner further down the pecking order at Villa Park. However, there is bound to be plenty of interest in the midfielder, and a whole host of Championship clubs could compete to sign him.

He impressed during his spell with Forest last term, only to be recalled by Villa because of said form, going on to make 27 appearances in all competitions under Steve Bruce.

Bruce though looks set on rebuilding his squad further this summer and adding some experience in the hope of guiding the Villans back to the Premier League, and this could leave Gardner out in the wilderness.

As well as Forest, Gardner has enjoyed spells on loan with Brighton, Coventry, and Sheffield Wednesday.

Villa fans, what do you make to this? Good player to try and move on? Let us know!