Martin O’Neill admits Craig Gardner is likely to leave Aston Villa Football Club this month.

The former England Under-21 international has made just one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season, as competition for places in the Villa side increases.

Birmingham City, who tried to sign the 23-year-old in the summer, and Wolverhampton Wanderers have been heavily linked with the player, and O’Neill admits a sale is likely.

"In an ideal world I would like him to stay, but players like to play,” the Villa Park manager, who would want around £3.5million for Gardner, said in the Daily Mirror.

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