Ex-Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged the club to sign French striker Odsonne Edouard in the summer. Nigerian-born Englishman Gabriel Agbonlahor made this known in a recent interview with Football Insider.

Agbonlahor described Frenchman Edouard as a quality attacker before adding that the player will be the recipient of a bidding war amongst the interested clubs. Aston Villa are not the only team keen on Edouard who plays for Scottish Premiership giants Celtic. Apart from Villa, other Premier League sides like Arsenal and Leicester City have also been linked with the 22-year-old forward.

Gabriel Agbonlahor wants Aston Villa to steal a march on the other interested clubs by making a move early for him. According to him, the club that eventually sign the Celtic player would be lucky to have him.

Odsonne Edouard has been in good form for Celtic this season with 20 goals and five assists in 36 games in all competitions. He was part of the Celtic team beaten by Rangers at the weekend in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Edouard and Celtic were on the receiving end of a 2-0 away defeat to Rangers on Sunday. With the result, Rangers progressed to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, while Celtic were eliminated from the competition at the hands of their Old Firm Derby rivals. Steven Davis and Jonjoe Kenny (own goal) scored for Rangers in the first half to seal the result. Jonjoe Kenny is on loan at Celtic from Merseyside giants Everton until the summer.

Celtic are currently without a permanent manager though Ex-Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is said to be favourites for the position according to widespread reports. The permanent manager is not expected to block Edouard from leaving the club in the summer.