Gabby Agbonlahor

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I was out working in the garden this afternoon and found myself thinking about Agbonlahor.  What I found somewhat disconcerting was, for a short time I actually found myself feeling sorry for him, a complete wasted opportunity to become one of the all-time Villa heroes.  I then came back to reality and thought, fuck him!

Injuries and playing with next to no service for so long have darkened his record.

I'll wish him well.

[garyshawsknee]

Did we ever receive any interest in him during his prime ? You think of all the players he played with during his pomp, they all moved on and he hung around.

[London Villan]

People have short memories, he got a warm reception, but didn't say a word. He looked very chunky too.

[PeterWithesShin]

Being shit, fat and disinterested have darkened his record. Plenty of other strikers managed to score for us it's only him that seems to have had no service.

[SoccerHQ]

Did we ever receive any interest in him during his prime ? You think of all the players he played with during his pomp, they all moved on and he hung around.

Rumours of Arsenal and Spurs around 2008.

[JUAN PABLO]

talking of wasted money in recent years . When does Richards contract finish?

[garyshawsknee]

Thanks for that SHQ. Tottenham interest does ring a bell, scary to think it's 10 years ago.

[PeterWithesShin]

talking of wasted money in recent years . When does Richards contract finish?

Next summer.

[brian green]

I have a shirt with Gabby's name on the back.  That is how much I rated him in his prime.  What has made me see him in a very different light was his complete moral disintegration when we were fighting for survival in the Premiership.  Of all our squad he should have been the one to heal the dressing room wounds, to encourage young players, to give the likes of N'Zogbia and Richards a kick up the arse and most of all to reach out the hand of friendship to our continental players.  He did none of those things.  To quote a line from Godfather 2 about Fredo he was banging cocktail waitresses two at a time.  If his fall from grace had only been on the pitch I would forgive him all day long but his failure was moral and personal.

[West Derby Villan]

People have short memories, he got a warm reception, but didn't say a word. He looked very chunky too.

He was still chewing a BigMac

[sickbeggar]

Hasn't scored double figures in 9 seasons and hasn't done sod all in 8. On that basis the likes of Heskey and Harewood should have got the same send-off, while Bent, Angel and Carew should have got a ticker-tape parade and a stand named after them.

[Steve67]

And the likes of Withe, Shaw, Saunders had the freedom of the city. I cannot feel sorry for a man who has stolen a living from doing something he’s supposed to love. Equally, I do not forgive those at the club who allowed him to become, well, this.  Fair play to Steve Bruce for standing firm. See you round Gabby, keep up the charity work. A redeeming feature.

[Villafirst]

I thought the award presentation was low-key, very muted. He seemed to want to get off the pitch as soon as he could. Never ventured towards the Holte End...... he looked almost embarrassed.

[London Villan]

It’s been that long since he was on a football pitch that he’d probably forgotten where was what.

[JJ-AV]

He made a positive contribution to the club for about 6 years. It went downhill since and he'll no doubt have some regrets, but he was really decent for a while.

He clearly didn't have that attitude to push himself - rejecting England a few times and phoning it in when the club wasn't doing well. But for the good times I'll always be thankful.

All the best Gabby. I wonder where he'll go though? I know his house is up for sale but his future earning potential is going to be a pittance of what he was on. I can't see him getting a top half Championship club...

Sunderland maybe?

Burton?