Gary Gardner has returned to Aston Villa following a loan stint with Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 22-year-old joined the Championship outfit back in August and he went on to make 11 appearances, from which he scored two goals.

Now back at Villa, the midfielder has revealed that he "cannot wait to get going again".

"Back at Villa today. Can't wait to get involved again! Would like to thank everyone at Brighton staff players and fans for making me very welcome I enjoyed every minute there! Can not wait to get going again for the Villa boys," he wrote on Twitter.

Gardner came through the ranks at Villa Park, having joined the club as a trainee in 2005.