Aston Villa have confirmed that midfielder Gary Gardner will be sidelined for "eight to nine months" with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 20-year-old adds to the Villans' injury woes, which include Gabriel Agbonlahor, Marc Albrighton and Richard Dunne.

Villa boss Paul Lambert said: "It's a blow and it's definitely a blow for the lad, but he's very positive and he'll get great attention all the way through his rehab."

Gardner has made 17 appearances for the Midlands club.