Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill believes young midfielder Craig Gardner is set for a big season ahead.

He enthused: "Once Gardner picks up the game in the Premiership, as time goes on, he will know when to make the run and when to just hold.

"It is about the timing of runs but his enthusiasm to get forward all the time, and enthusiasm to get a challenge in, is delightful.

"It is part of his game and once he gets a bit more experience he will know when to time those things. He was terrific, but Craig was like that all season, to be perfectly honest."