Midfielder Craig Gardner has been assured he has a future at Aston Villa.

Villa fan Gardner is understood to have emerged as a potential target for newly-promoted local rivals Wolves and Birmingham, plus relegated Middlesbrough.

The former England Under-21s player signed a new three year deal last summer although he was restricted to only two Premier League starts during the 2008-2009 campaign.

But manager Martin O'Neill recognises Gardner has a role to play at Villa - and there is a place up for grabs after Gareth Barry's £12million move to Manchester City earlier this month.

Gardner has often played out of position for Villa - at right-back two years ago after Mark Delaney's retirement - and also on the right side of midfield.

But the 22-year-old has already stated he is content to remain with Villa.

He will be battling with the club's player of the year Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell among the current staff for a place in the centre of the park.

O'Neill has also been linked with moves for the Tottenham trio of David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone.

But finding a replacement for retired captain and central defender Martin Laursen is also an urgent concern for the former Celtic boss.