Former England Under-21 midfielder Gardner broke into Villa’s first-team way back in 2011 after a promising start to his career, but after suffering a second anterior cruciate ligament injury, his progress has stalled over the past two years.
After a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday late last season, Gardner is back in pre-season training with the Villans, and he is hoping to flourish this year with the help of the club’s new assistant manager Roy Keane.
Keane is Villa's new assistant manager
"Roy is someone who really doesn't need an introduction because he has proved what he is all about," the 22-year-old told AVFC.co.uk.
"He was a hard-tackling midfielder, a very vocal player and a great person to have on your side.”
Gardner, who represented his country at the U20s World Cup in Egypt aged just 17 in 2009, added: "As a central midfielder myself, it is amazing to have someone like him here and hopefully he can help as much as possible.
"To have someone like that to listen to and to take on board their advice is a dream.”
In Keane, Gardner believes that he has the best tutor to help him improve his game, and he cites the legendary Irishman’s past duels on the pitch as the reason he fell in love with the game.
Gardner in action for Aston Villa
He said: "In that famous Manchester United team he was a key player and a skipper. All of his games against Patrick Vieira were fun to watch.
"That's what football is all about. As a kid that's what made me love football."
"I couldn't pick anyone better to learn from - he is simply a midfield legend with such great passion for the game."
Gardner recently penned a new two-year contract to extend his nine-year association with the club, and he is eager to repay them on the pitch for their faith in him.
He added: “I’m buzzing. The club have been brilliant with me.
“I’ve had a bit of bad luck in the past two years but I’m feeling good and strong now so hopefully I can repay them.
“I’ve been here from a young age and I’ve been to Villa games all my life as a fan so it is a dream come true to play for the first team like I have done.”
