Gardening Leave?

Craig Gardner might be starting to ponder things.
Why?
Luke Moore's impending departure to Albion brings an end to the links with Villa's 2002 FA Youth Cup winning side.
As for the 2004 runners-up only Gardner and Gabby Agbonlahor remain in the senior squad. Gary Cahill is now plying his trade at Bolton, in Spain tonight as it happens- in the UEFA Cup no less.
Agbonlahor will be at Villa for the long-term providing one of the big boys don't come sniffing. And I feel a new contract isn't far away to help ward off that threat.
As for Gardner... he has treaded water this season, to put it mildly.
He has a chance of starting at right-back on Sunday at Reading after his fine second half against Newcastle- although I think Olof Mellberg will remain in the side following his one poor game in a long while.
Gardner has started 12 games this season well below what he may have expected at the end of last season when he finished with a Goal of the Season certainty at Bolton had it not been scored a week after voting ended.
A right-sided midfield berth will surely be out of his range come next season when Martin O'Neill strengthens. The same goes for his hopes of slotting in at right-back.
Unlike Isiah Osbourne who can benefit from a loan spell away from Villa, the same cannot be said of Gardner.
And following the sales of messers Whittingham, Davis, Cahill, Ridgewell and Moore I just sense that this summer there could be some serious thinking done.
PS. £14.5million or thereabouts will be raised from the sales of the above quintet. Not bad for a youth academy costing around £2million a year and which was beginning to fall apart under the previous manager.