Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner is out for the season with a knee injury.

Gardner has been ruled out for "eight to nine months" by an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The club revealed the 20-year-old will undergo surgery on his right knee after suffering the injury playing for their under-21 side against Stoke on Wednesday.

Villa boss Paul Lambert told the club's website: "It's a blow and it's definitely a blow for the lad but he's very positive and he'll get great attention all the way through his rehab."