Villa striker To Focus On England

As we reported last week, Gabriel Agbonlahor will enter into contract talks when he returns from England U21 international action this week.

The highly rated 20-year-old striker said:

'Hopefully we can try and sort something out, so we'll wait and see. This is the club I want to be at. I want to be at Villa for the future. I'm not sure how long the deal is we're talking about. I haven't had any information on that. Hopefully the foreseeable future.'

He has also decided to focus his international future on England and has snubbed an approach from Nigeria to play for them.

After the 3-3 draw with Italy he said 'Yes, England is the team I want to play for. When you play at somewhere like this, it helps you make a decision. It means a lot to play at the new Wembley. There are many more games to be played here, so to be involved at the start was really exciting. You want to do your best, and it was on TV, so you wanted to go out there and do your best.'

'I never went to the old Wembley. This looks like it's something special. It compares to the Arsenal stadium, it feels like that. It's the best I've ever played at. Italy are good, very technical, they make good runs off the ball. I thought we were unlucky not to win and that we can compete against the best.'

Gabby came off at half time with a knee injury, he explained on the official site: 'I was struggling with a knee injury, that's what I came off at half-time. I should have put that away. Yes, that would have meant a lot. I should have scored, to be fair. I enjoyed playing on the left and cutting in, and taking players on, on the outside as well. We should definitely have had a penalty. That's where I got the injury from. It was a blatant penalty. The ref just waved it off.'

'It was great to play at the new Wembley. There are many great matches to be played here, so to be part of the first match is brilliant for me. It was also exciting to be in the starting line-up. I have played in front of more people but you want to do your best, especially as it was live on television.' Adding, 'It was good that Villa had so many players here. I hope to be involved in the Under-21 tournament in the summer. Anyone can win the tournament, so I don't know if we're favourites.


He also says he is a doubt for Monday nights game against Everton due to the knee injury. 'I am not doubtful for Villa's match on Monday because I had ice on the knee and it has improved. Hopefully, I will be OK.'

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