Gabriel Agbonlahor

[sanmiguel]

No worries son you're not needed for England.

http

://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,1...294102,00.html

The Aston Villa striker reported back in early July last summer for the Intertoto Cup and could be involved with the England Under-21s right through to the end of this June. Two years ago Agbonlahor angered Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce when he missed out on the 2007 finals after being uncontactable following another long campaign.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill will carefully monitor the situation that could also apply to winger James Milner if he is part of Pearce's squad.

Agbonlahor said: "Am I worried about burn out by playing in the European Championships? That is a major worry but it is out of our hands.

"If we have to go and play there, we have to go and play and then see what time we will get off after the tournament.

"It means some of us will have played virtually 12 months football with the European Championships not ending until the end of June.

"It's been a long season with starting early (for the Intertoto Cup). Then I think next season starts a bit earlier because it is World Cup year.

"You do get worried but we are young players and, if you look at players like Steven Gerrard and others, they have done it so you can't complain."

Agbonlahor has urged Villa to end the season on a high and guarantee fifth spot in the Barclays Premier League after defeating Hull on Monday to end a 12 game sequence without a win.

O'Neill's side are now assured of a Europa League spot.

Agbonlahor said: "Achieving a European spot was the least we wanted. Now we want to go on and win every remaining game.

"The feelings are mixed. We have high standards. We are disappointed at not reaching what we wanted to reach (the Champions League) but in another way it is a good thing to be in Europe.

"We are back in fifth place. We are disappointed we have missed out on fourth but, if we finish fifth, it will still be an improvement on last season."

Agbonlahor also believes Villa will be better equipped to deal with Europe next season with O'Neill expected to add several new players during the close season.

He said: "I think the gaffer will strengthen the squad in the summer. The gaffer will be able to rest certain players in games if he wants.

"If we can do that, we will have a better chance of keeping things going."

[dee123]

U21'S ????.....Straight in first team if I were coach.....Lets hope this talented guy doesn't join the list of players who has to wait because he has not got a "superstar profile" and miss out or wait in the wings like his Aston Villa team mate Gareth Barry has had to do........Alan Hanson "still a problem with left side of midfield"!!!!........him and Rooney up front would scare the s--t out of any defence in the world...

Edited May 7, 2009 by dee123