Gabriel Agbonlahor, an Aston Villa supporter long before he became a first-team striker at the club, last night welcomed the arrival of Alex McLeish and anticipated a more attacking style than the Scot was known for at Birmingham City.

Gabriel Agbonlahor was one of those players who helped Aston Villa comfortably beat Newcastle that almost brings an end to their relegation worries.

Following chances for Joey Barton and Nile Ranger, Villa scored against the run of play when James Collins headed in Ashley Young's free-kick.

But that encouraged the hosts, who went close to doubling their lead through Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent.

Newcastle offered little but Peter Lovenkrands' late header was saved.

Stoke City are linked with a move for Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor in the summer.

The speedy England international has only scored four goals this season but would be keen on reuinting with former strike partner John Carew.

Gabriel Agbonlahor wouldn't come cheap and would be sure to break Stoke's transfer record, which currently stands at £8 million for Kenwyne Jones.

Providing Stoke stay in the Premier League, the summer promises to be very exciting for Stoke fans.

Aston Villa's forward Gabrial Agbonlahor has claimed that he is ready to play in the wide position for the team. Gabrial Agbonlahor admits that while he is used to playing as a centre-forward, he is willing to adapt and fit into the new tactics.

"As for playing wide, I've said this before, everyone is playing in positions that they might not want to play in," he said in The Sun.

"But for the good of the team you have to get on with it.

"I'm not kicking up a fuss. Maybe my time playing up front will come again soon.

Gabriel Agbonlahor opened his Barclays Premier league scoring tally with a goal against Wigan athletic. Gabriel Agbonlahor claimed his first Premier League goal of the season before Ashley Young scored from the spot.

Villa boss Gerard Houllier handed a debut to his new £6million signing from Lyon Jean Makoun but it was another recent arrival, Darren Bent, who went closest to opening the scoring when he was denied by Al Al Habsi’s super stop.

Gabriel Agbonlahor will be the lone striker for Aston Villa in they face Sheffield United in the FA Cup. Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov urged Houllier and Carew to resolve any differences in the aftermath of the midweek home defeat by Sunderland. Emile Heskey's red card against the Black Cats leaves Houllier with Gabriel Agbonlahor as the only senior striker available for the FA Cup clash at Newcastle United.

Gabriel Agbonlahor will not be leaving the club in January and wants to stay at the club despite reports being contrary. Despite a rash of injuries and poor form in front of goal that have limited Gabby's impact so far this term, the fleet-footed attacker says he is ready to remain loyal to his childhood idols and serves a hint that he could stay at Villa Park for his entire career.

Gabriel Agbonlahor will miss the Saturday's match against West Bromwich Albion due to injury. Derby day specialist Gabriel Agbonlahor is out of tomorrow’s Villa Park showdown with West Brom after contracting a chest infection.

The Brummie striker who scored in both of Villa’s victories over Albion the season before last played through the illness during Monday’s defeat at Liverpool.

But with James Milner taking a turn for the worse and fit again Emile Heskey returning to the squad there is set to be a change up front for goal shy Villa.

Gerard Houllier says that Gabriel Agbonlahor is a major doubt against Arsenal. Houllier, who spoke at a press conference on Friday 26 November, said that Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has only made four league starts this season, could miss the tie after being absent from two days of training.

"Gabby is ill at the moment," the Frenchman said. "He didn't train yesterday and he didn't train today. I will have a better idea of him this afternoon and tomorrow morning but he hasn't been with us today. It's a shame because we may have to do without him."

Gabriel Agbonlahor is tight lipped about Gerard Houllier's appointment at Aston Villa. The England international was reluctant to say anything positive about the Frenchman, despite his very impressive CV.

Houllier has won three French league titles – two with Lyon and the other with Paris St Germain, as well as the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups with Liverpool.

However, Gabriel Agbonlahor seemed unmoved by these credentials and when asked whether he was impressed by Houllier's CV and if he was looking forward to working with him, he simply said: "Next question."