GARY Gardner has joined Coventry on loan just days after bagging a hat-trick to help Villa seal their place in the NextGen quarter-finals.

The 19-year-old man-of-the-moment single-handedly guided Villa to a 3-0 success over Ajax, after scoring a brace for England Under-21’s earlier this month.

Gardner, the younger brother of ex-Blues star, Craig, will now have the chance to impress in the Championship and edge his way closer to a starting berth at Villa Park.

Leeds were also interested in taking the talented midfielder on loan but it was the Sky Blues who won the race for his signature.

“I am delighted to get him,” said Thorn of the highly-rated player who was due at Coventry this morning to complete an initial one-month loan that will take him to January 3.

“Although I have been looking for a bit of experience, this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up because Gary is such a talented lad.