Gary Gardner had a horrible record for Albion at the Amex.

Now he is threatening to haunt them on his return with Aston Villa.

The Birmingham-born midfielder has been given a new lease of life since Steve Bruce took charge at Villa Park.

Gardner endured a miserable spell on loan to the Seagulls two seasons ago during the ill-fated reign of Sami Hyypia.

He scored twice in 20 appearances as Albion laboured at the wrong end of the Championship table under the Finn.

One of the goals came in a 1-0 win against Wigan, the only time Gardner tasted victory in nine home appearances.

Villa have also loaned him out to Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and, last season, Nottingham Forest.

There seemed little prospect of the 24-year-old establishing himself, until the appointment of Bruce.

Drafted in to a much-changed team at Reading last month, Gardner impressed Bruce in a 2-1 win and has kept in place in central midfield ever since.

Villa have taken ten points out of 12 with Gardner in the team.

The only points they have dropped were in their last away game, when Gardner headed them into the lead in the derby draw at Birmingham.

Bruce will be relying on him against Albion on Friday night, with Australian international Mile Jedinak ruled out by international commitments.