Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: N'ZMAV on August 28, 2010, 12:00:31 PM
-
Gabriel Agbonlahor pledges entire career to Aston Villa (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8951956.stm)
Gabriel Agbonlahor has declared he wants to stay at Aston Villa for the rest of his career.
The 23-year-old forward's statement comes at a time when Villa are in need of a boost after they were dumped out of the Europa League on Thursday.
And caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald has also admitted that he expects a battle to hold on to his best players.
Agbonlahor said: "Being from the area, I've got no reason to ever leave. I'm just enjoying my football here."
"I saw in the programme stats the other day that I'm the longest-serving player," added the Villa Academy product.
"I think I am one of the senior statesmen! I might bring that up with some of the lads.
"But I'm a local lad and you look at people like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard - they don't want to leave their clubs - and it's the same with me."
Agbonlahor was Villa's second-highest scorer with 16 goals during the 2009-10.
He missed the first three games of the 2010-11 campaign with injury before returning and scoring in the Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna on Thursday, but could not prevent the Midlands side from crashing out 4-3 on aggregate.
That defeat has prompted MacDonald to send out a hands-off warning to other clubs who may feel some of Villa's players could now be unhappy and seeking a move.
"I am sure clubs will be interested in players because there are some good players at Aston Villa," stated MacDonald, who took over the reins when Martin O'Neill quit just before the start of the season.
606: DEBATE
I think Young and Gabby will be gone by this time next season and replaced with rubbish
Ashley Downing
"You'd expect not being in Europe to be a factor but you'd expect it from the clubs that are playing in Europe in that they might want an extra big player.
"We've had not anything [enquiries] as such. People would have told me if there were any enquiries. We've had nothing so far.
"But in terms of convincing players to stay, it might not be their choice. If the club needs them, and they are under contract, the club will probably want to keep them."
MacDonald, who will decide after Sunday's Premier League game at home to Everton if he wants to apply for the job on a permanent basis, believes the squad may need strengthening after the losses to Newcastle and Rapid.
He added: "I think the results over the last two games would suggest that. As far as I know there is nothing on the horizon.
"I've been asked about who I thought might improve the team. I am not about to divulge that but I have been asked.
"But the big thing coming from when Martin O'Neill left was that a lot of the squad players were disgruntled.
"Those squad players have been given an opportunity to play. Whether it is one or two games, they have to come up to speed very, very quickly.
"There are lot of players with international experience in the squad. Whether we need to change the squad around a bit, that remains to be seen."
MacDonald also believes the quality of manager interested in replacing O'Neill will not be affected by the lack of European football.
He commented: "I don't really think that will be the case. I think Aston Villa is regarded as a major club and any Premier League club is a major club.
"I just think that there will be lots and lots of applications for this club because everyone will think they can push this club back up"
Good news for us, Gabby has got better every season and I'm expecting more from him this coming season. 20 goals, maybe?
-
Always fantastic to hear.
Too bad for him that he's royally fucked up his next pay review. :)
-
Makes a refreshing change...
-
We just need to find a decent strike partner for him now. Before the deadline, wishful thinking, I know.
-
I love Gabby. So underrated and he loves the Villa.
Big games you just know he's going to turn up.
Should be a regular in the England squad.
-
Gabby; unique in his 'I love the club I play for' stance. I for one am really glad he is one of us. Just a lot richer. And faster.
-
Hyperbole
(pronounced /haɪˈpɜrbəli/,[1] from ancient Greek ὑπερβολή 'exaggeration') is a rhetorical device in which statements are exaggerated. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally.
Stevie Ireland pledged his entire life to Man City just a year ago - so Gabby quit pulling the piss and score a "winning" goal this weekend - you know like... an important goal.
Thats what the fans need.
-
Hyperbole
(pronounced /haɪˈpɜrbəli/,[1] from ancient Greek ὑπερβολή 'exaggeration') is a rhetorical device in which statements are exaggerated. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally.
Stevie Ireland pledged his entire life to Man City just a year ago - so Gabby quit pulling the piss and score a "winning" goal this weekend - you know like... an important goal.
Thats what the fans need.
Yeah, because he's never bagged any 'important' goals for us, has he?
Pillock.
-
I love Gabby. So underrated and he loves the Villa.
Big games you just know he's going to turn up.
Should be a regular in the England squad.
You're right mate,in the 40 mintes he played the other night he showed us what we miss when he's not there.
-
Good lad Gabby.
Refreshing to hear something positive for a change.
He does need to have a decent partner up front with him and personaly, I would see someone like Bobby Zamora fitting the bill.
Could also be England's future pairing up front too.
-
Hyperbole
(pronounced /haɪˈpɜrbəli/,[1] from ancient Greek ὑπερβολή 'exaggeration') is a rhetorical device in which statements are exaggerated. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally.
Stevie Ireland pledged his entire life to Man City just a year ago - so Gabby quit pulling the piss and score a "winning" goal this weekend - you know like... an important goal.
Thats what the fans need.
That is perhaps the most depressing thing I have read all week, which takes some doing. For one thing Ireland might have stayed an City for his career, but was asked to train with the reserves, he had to leave. Gabby is from Brum, he is settled and happy. He is a Villa fan. He has said something positive but you turned it into a negative. Oh, and he does score goals.
-
Good lad Gab.
-
Absolutely over the moon that gabby want's to stay for the rest of is career.
-
With the state of football these days, I could be really cynical and say thats him on his way then.
But fair play to him, he didnt need to say this. Also to come out and make such a statement at this time is welcome, when there is such uncertainty round us that we havent seen in quite a while.
-
Stevie Ireland pledged his entire life to Man City just a year ago
If we pissed about with Gabby with way Man City did with Steven Ireland nobody would blame him for going. Comitment has to go both ways.
EDIT: Oh, and as for 'important' goals, how about two nights ago against Rapid? At the time it was vital and Gabby can hardly be blamed for what happened after he left the pitch.
-
A beacon of light in the gathering gloom
Go on and become a Villa legend Gabby...
-
He's still only 23, could break both our appearance and goalscoring records if he stays for his entire career
-
Just imagine if he is as improved again when he gets going as he was last season. A proper player.
-
And hopefully with some good service this season with Ireland and Albrighton on board.
-
Nice one Gabby, Villa through and through means it's hard to play for another club with as much enthusiasm.
Positive news at last.
-
It's a nice story to hear amongst the doom and gloom. He's got the potential to be a very good player. Needs to work on his one on one's though.
-
That is what I like to hear ..especially from home grown boys.
-
Hyperbole
(pronounced /haɪˈpɜrbəli/,[1] from ancient Greek ὑπερβολή 'exaggeration') is a rhetorical device in which statements are exaggerated. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally.
Stevie Ireland pledged his entire life to Man City just a year ago - so Gabby quit pulling the piss and score a "winning" goal this weekend - you know like... an important goal.
Thats what the fans need.
Yeah, because he's never bagged any 'important' goals for us, has he?
Pillock.
Let me put it another way then, a winning goal against Everton will make everyone sit up 100 times more than
media comments "designed" to put a positive spin on the shambles of the last few weeks.
After all scoring winning goals is what he's paid for.
Now if he said Im going to bust my ass and go for 20 league goals this season . . . . .
and thereby get himself up to the next level in world class terms
I like Gabby but he's got more to deliver.
That goes double for Petrov and his media comments. Pure drivel.
Players do their talking on the pitch and leave the spinning to the murky wheeler dealers in the wings.
Pillock ! indeed. Whats the matter ? did i touch a "soft" spot
-
Let me put it another way then, a winning goal against Everton will make everyone sit up 100 times more than
media comments "designed" to put a positive spin on the shambles of the last few weeks.
After all scoring winning goals is what he's paid for.
So if he isn't injured and does play but scores the first goal in a 2-1 win then he hasn't done his job as the "winning" goal is what he needs to score. Does that count double?
-
Good news. We need some, because Ash will be out the door within a year imo.
-
Not very often these days a player is willing to put loyalty before ego development. What's good about it too is that it might send a message out to some of the younger players that a senior member of the team is willing to make such a pledge. Great.
-
You give Gabby the right partner or supply and he's a got all the ingredients to be a top PL forward. If he can stay free of injuries which is always concerning for a speedy player then he can go on to much greater things. In a period of great uncertainty it's always good to see one of our own pledging their future to the club he loves and has grown up with.
-
Hyperbole
(pronounced /haɪˈpɜrbəli/,[1] from ancient Greek ὑπερβολή 'exaggeration') is a rhetorical device in which statements are exaggerated. It may be used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally.
Stevie Ireland pledged his entire life to Man City just a year ago - so Gabby quit pulling the piss and score a "winning" goal this weekend - you know like... an important goal.
Thats what the fans need.
I thought your self important tripe in the post-match thread on Thursday was your 'last post' on this site?
I also believe Ireland was largely forced out. I assume if we did that to Gabby he'd sling his hook like Ireland did.
Whereas I'm far from certain he actually will stay with Villa all his career but I don't think you can ever accuse him of shirking from the scoring in important matches. Indeed, he is perhaps the only player we have who makes a habit of it.
-
after a week of piss taking and abuse finally some good news. delighted
-
A Good quote that pushes all the right buttons with the fans, but in reality we all know that things change quickly in football.
E.g.
(1) He suffers a serious knee injury tomorrow and after a series of operations he fails to regain the pace that made him the player he is. We'll sell him.
(2) He knocks goals in for fun for the next couple of seasons, while we as club still fail to break through the glass ceiling. He realises that he won't play CL football for us and wants to whilst he's in his prime. Then Man City or whoever make an offer we can't refuse. He'll be on his way.
-
Makes a refreshing change...
My thoughts entirely!
-
He's been a great player and i love his passion commitment and goals, but in this day and age forever could mean a few more seasons im afraid
Good time to come out and say it though, hope it is forever
-
...some ridiculous load of shit...
You spelled 'Malaka' wrong.
-
yes Gabby ;D
-
Psck the abuse in - again. Bans are imminent.
-
I love Gabby. For somebody who is maligned by non-Villains for being dense, he isn’t half a great learner. Every new season he comes back having learnt something new and improves. He’s going to do it again this year too. On Thursday we looked a much better side with him in it, while not forgetting that he was only half fit and he only had one chance and he still bagged it.
-
Gabby gets better and better each season, he never stops chasing lost causes, surprisingly brilliant in the air (goals against man u home and away and the blues), holds the ball up well. Think the only thing he needs to get better at is one on ones where he has too much time to think what he's going to do, like west ham at home last year in the last few minutes where he could have won the game.
If he can get that sorted, he will definitely get 20 goals with players like young, downing, albrighton and Ireland behind him.
-
I love Gabby. For somebody who is maligned by non-Villains for being dense, he isn’t half a great learner. Every new season he comes back having learnt something new and improves. He’s going to do it again this year too. On Thursday we looked a much better side with him in it, while not forgetting that he was only half fit and he only had one chance and he still bagged it.
I totally agree. Right now, he's the very best thing about supporting Aston Villa. I love Gabby as a player, I can stomach the loss of Milner, but if Gabby had been nicked by City this summer, I don't think I'd have had much inclination to carry being bothered with Villa to be honest.
-
Bless you Gabby, you may not be the best but we know you will always try to be the best and we will love you for trying. One of us as far as I'm concerned
-
Living the dream, just like Paul Birch and Ian Taylor, good on you Gabby, legend in the making
Villa 'til i die
-
I've seen about half an hour of him this season, either side of a hamstring tweak, and he already looks like he's improved again.
He is the fucking man.
-
Gabbys seems to have built up his body strength still further for this season.
I love the thought of maybe him being a one club man with us for years and years to come.
-
Hopefully Gabby and Ireland can use these next two weeks to get fit or match fit in Gabby's case. Gabby looked off it today, but that's to be expected.
-
I like him enough to be very pleased with his comments.
-
Surely we would rather that City, barca and Milan were chasing our 30 goal a season assassin?
-
Surely we would rather that City, barca and Milan were chasing our 30 goal a season assassin?
So we can sell another good player?
No thanks, I'd rather he stay the right side of average and stay at Villa.
-
As said elsewhere he seems to add something to his game each season (last year bulking up and playing as a target man).
What asset would you like to see him improve this season?
I reckon he needs to "wake up" in the box, making better runs for crosses etc. The subtle movements that the top strikers make to steal a yard is something he rarely seems to do, yet could easily be added to his game.