Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner praised by older brother Craig

Jan 30 2011 by Gregg Evans, Sunday Mercury

TEENAGE midfielder Gary Gardner is as good as any English youngster in the Premier League – according to older brother Craig.

The promising Villa starlet is fully fit after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and has already begun to impress boss Gerard Houllier.

The Frenchman says he is excited with what he has seen from Gary so far, but his older brother, who plays for bitter rivals Blues, is already familiar with what he can offer.

So much so that 24-year-old Craig has compared his 18-year-old sibling to the cream of the crop including Arsenal whizzkid Jack Wilshire.

“My brother’s doing really well and he’s fully fit now,” said Craig.

“They’re just bringing him on slowly at Villa because of his age and the injury that he has had but he’s going to be a great player.

“He’s shown time and time again before he was injured how good he is and how highly rated he is at the club.

“I just can’t wait now until he puts the shirt on and plays against me in the first team – and shows the world and the Premier League what he can do because he’s a class act.

“I think he’s on the same level as some of the other young stars like Jonjo Shelvey and Jack Wilshire.

“He’s that type of player, he’s top class.