BACK WITH A BANG

After a few years in the wilderness without a lack of form, it seems that Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is back to his best. He has been a key player for Aston Villa in the 4-3-3 formation employed by Paul Lambert since his arrival last summer.

He has formed a great partnership with Christian Benteke up front. This improved form could result in a call up for the England national team. Agbonlahor has made just three international appearances and his last came four years ago against Belarus.

The arrival of new players like Daniel Sturridge and Andros Townsend has made it difficult for him to get a place in the England team, but the 27-year-old is hoping that the attacking line-up introduced by Roy Hodgson will make it possible for him to get a place in the squad. England have qualified for the 2014 World Cup automatically by finishing top of the group. They will be playing in a few friendly matches from now till the start of the World Cup. Agbonlahor has said that there is still a lot of time to impress manager Hodgson.

He featured in the final World Cup qualifying match against Belarus prior to the 2010 World Cup, but still missed out on the competition.

“I’ve always been desperate to play for England. World Cups, European Championships, qualifying matches – even a friendly – it doesn’t matter to me. It’s always an honour to play for your country. Every time you pull on an England shirt is an honour as far as I’m concerned. There must be reasons why I haven’t been in the squad as much as I feel I should, but that’s down to me, no one else. It’s my job to have a really good season and show what I can do,” said Agbonlahor.