Aston Villa turn down Birmingham bid for Craig Gardner

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says Birmingham have made a bid for Craig Gardner but will have to make an improved offer to sign the midfielder.

"Birmingham have made an inquiry and have also made a bid. The bid hasn't been accepted," said O'Neill.

"There have also been other enquiries from clubs which have not been followed up with a bid.

"I would love to keep Craig but he wants to play and if the two clubs can agree on things, he probably would go."

The 23-year-old, who came through the ranks at Villa, has made 49 appearances for the club but only three this season, only one of which was in the Premier League.

A former England Under-21 international, he made his Villa debut at the end of 2005 and made 30 appearances for Villa last season.

Gardner, who has struggled with back and groin injuries this season, has a younger brother, Gary, in the Villa academy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8464489.stm