Gardner ready for derby

Gardner: Up for Villa clash

Craig Gardner insists he cannot wait to face former side Aston Villa this weekend.

Birmingham travel to Villa Park on Sunday for their derby showdown and it will be the first time Gardner has played in the match for Blues.

Gardner is a self-confessed Blues fan, despite coming through the ranks at Villa, and he now cannot wait to face his former team-mates.

"It is going to be a massive game, especially with myself being a Blues fan, and going to Villa Park and playing in the Blues strip. I just can't wait," he said.

"What reception I get will be up to the fans. I've moved on.

"It's nothing to do with the club. The club were brilliant to me and the manager. I haven't got a bad thing to say about the club."

Celebrate

Gardner is hoping that he will not be on the end of a bad reception.

"I don't think I deserve stick but if I get a bad reception, I'm not going to take it out on anyone," he said.

"I'm just going to get on with it, just get on with the job. I'd love to score the winner on Sunday but I wouldn't celebrate over the top.

"Of course, it could be the last goal you score in your career so you've got to celebrate but I wouldn't rub their noses in it. I'm not that sort of person.

"If you score, you deserve the right to celebrate whether it's at Villa, Manchester United, anywhere."