England Under-21 midfielder Craig Gardner can also play at right-back

Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardner has signed a new four-year contract which will see him remain at Villa Park until 2012.

Gardner, 21, first signed professional terms with the club in 2005.

He made 25 league and cup appearances for Villa last season, scoring three Premier League goals.

The England Under-21 international follows Wilfred Bouma, John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor who have recently signed new deals with the club.