AGBONLAHOR STAYING PUT

The Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has dismissed the speculation linking him with a move to Sunderland after it has emerged that the Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill is keen to be reunited with his former striker.

The 24-year-old rose to prominence under the former Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill, who is currently managing the Premier league club Sunderland. Since Martin O’Neill’s departure, Agbonlahor has never been the same. Even though he was made captain of the club last season, speculation has been growing that he will be looking for a move away from the club where he made his professional debut.

The 25-year-old has been capped by the England national team on three occasions, but it has been quite a long time since he has been in the England national team fold. Many are attributing this towards the departure of Martin O’Neill, who always got the best out of Agbonlahor. As a result, there have been suggestions that he will be joining Sunderland. The striker, though, has said that there is no truth present in the rumours linking him with a move to Sunderland and that he is extremely happy to stay at Villa Park. Agbonlahor scored six goals in 36 matches for Aston Villa last season.

“Looking at it over the summer I’m just laughing at myself thinking: ‘where do they get these links from? I’m an Aston Villa player, it’s my home club, I love the club, as long as I’m contracted to the club then I’ll continue to play for them – until I get told otherwise. When you’ve played with a manager as good as Martin O’Neill you are going to be linked with him. But, for me, it’s just speculation,” said the striker. Aston Villa are currently on a preseason tour of the United States.