Gardner set for new deal

Aston Villa's rookie midfielder Craig Gardner is to sign a contract extension which will keep him with the midlands club until the summer of 2009.

Gardner, in line for his first Barclays Premiership start against Newcastle this weekend, has recently forced his way into David O'Leary's plans.

He made his senior debut as a second-half substitute in the 4-0 demolition of Everton on Boxing Day and also came off the bench in the derby victory at West Brom.

Gardner is the latest Villa Academy graduate to catch O'Leary's eye after the likes of Steven Davis, Liam Ridgewell and Luke Moore.

He is poised to start against the Magpies because of Gavin McCann's suspension and James Milner being ineligible as part of the loan agreement between the two clubs.