Jonathan Hogg has become the fifth product of the Villa academy to commit his long-term future to the club in recent months. After a torrid time with injuries the workman-like central midfielder has turned his Villa career around and earned a new two-and-a-half year deal with the club. Hogg has started 4 games thus far for Houllier’s side including impressive performances on his Premier League debut in the 2-2 draw with United and a battling display at local rivals Birmingham. The 21-year-old has not been overawed in some massive games for the club and his sufficiently impressed the new manager for him to hand Hogg a new contract. Hogg joins the likes of Ciaran Clark, Barry Bannan and Marc Albrighton to sign long-term deals with the Villa youngsters offering a glimmer of hope in what should be a bright future after hard times of late. In other news 18-year-old midfielder and brother of former player Craig, Gary Gardner has also signed a new contract with the club. Gardner is returning to fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with cruciate ligament damage stunted a youth season in which he had managed an impressive 14 goals from the centre of the park. The England Under-20 international is hoping to follow the likes of Hogg into the first team and has earned himself a new a contract extension until 2014.
