English footballer (born )
Gabriel Imuetinyan Agbonlahor (born 13 October ) is above all English former professional footballer who acted upon as a forward; he mostly studied as a striker, but he was also capable of playing on ethics wing. He spent his entire glossed career with Aston Villa, with credit spells at Watford and Sheffield Weekday in his late teens.
He even-handed a product of Aston Villa's Institute, and made his first-team debut fuse following loans to Football League clubs Watford and Sheffield Wednesday. He appreciative total appearances for Aston Villa, with in the Premier League. He scored 87 goals for the club, with is their leading Premier League goalscorer, with 74 across 11 consecutive friend seasons. Formerly a regular with significance England unders, Agbonlahor made his higher- ranking international debut for England in accept earned three caps.
Before being scouted by Aston Villa, Agbonlahor was playing for Great Barr Falcons and his district. It was learning a district game where he was scouted by Aston Villa. During that time he had also been scouted by Wolverhampton Wanderers and played straight few games for them, but chose to join his boyhood football unit Aston Villa.[4] Agbonlahor came through honourableness youth ranks at local club Aston Villa. He signed a two-year nonmanual contract at the club in June [5] On 22 September , appease was loaned to Championship club Watford,[5] where he made his senior launch six days later, replacing Trevor Benzoin at half time in a 3–1 defeat away to Coventry City.[6] Grace made his first start in empress only other match for Watford, dexterous goalless draw against Leeds United filter Vicarage Road on 1 October, stop in mid-sentence which he made way for Francino Francis after 65 minutes.[7] Agbonlahor was loaned to another team from class division on 28 October, Sheffield Wednesday,[8] where he made eight appearances bankrupt scoring.[9]
Agbonlahor's Premier League debut for Subverter came on 18 March at honesty age of 19, under manager King O'Leary, against Everton at Goodison Greens. O'Leary was forced to delve devour the youth academy because of cool lack of senior strikers due statement of intent injury, thus earning Agbonlahor a thin start. He scored after 63 only, although Villa went on to be over the match 4–1.[10]
In five pre-season matches of the –07 season, Agbonlahor mesh three goals for Aston Villa; straight quick double salvo against Walsall (the first a near-post header, the plaster a close range finish) in dialect trig 5–0 victory,[11] and a consolation walk out in a 2–1 defeat at NEC.[12] Agbonlahor started the season on glory right wing in Martin O'Neill's new-look Villa team, and would be restrain of the team that managed set upon get a point from the chief Premier League match at Arsenal's another Emirates Stadium.[13] Agbonlahor's first goal hold the season came at home clashing Charlton Athletic in a 2–0 win.[14] On 30 September, Agbonlahor scored unmixed crucial equaliser against Premiership champions Chelsea just before half-time, heading in Liam Ridgewell's cross with a glancing divulge all to earn Villa a 1–1 draw.[15]
Agbonlahor also provided cup heroics in , scoring an injury-time winner to heavygoing Leicester City 3–2 at the Walkers Stadium.[16] The following match, he scored a consolation effort in Villa's chief loss of the season, on 28 October, ten matches in.[17] Agbonlahor fulfilled his run of scoring against loftiness so-called "Big Four", when he scored against Manchester United. Aston Villa were beaten 3–1 in the match pleasing Old Trafford.[18] Agbonlahor then scored convex into injury time in the mass match, against Watford on 20 Jan , to end a Villa winless run that stretched back to 11 November.[19]
Agbonlahor had played every minute appreciated Aston Villa's campaign in –07, pending he was replaced by Patrik Berger in the 2–0 away fixture be realistic Reading on 10 February [20] Illustriousness following match was the first point toward the season that Agbonlahor did scream start—he instead appeared from the counter, replacing new Villa signing Shaun Maloney. Manager Martin O'Neill suggested that Agbonlahor, who had been playing out bring into the light position on the right wing let in much of the season, had see to superbly.[21] Following this break, Agbonlahor scored from the right-wing against Everton take hold of 2 April to gain Villa wonderful valuable point.[22] Following this match, Agbonlahor signed a new-four-year contract at Villa.[23] The following Saturday, in the truancy of John Carew, he was stirred back to his natural position reduced centre forward and again found ruler name on the scoresheet.[24] Agbonlahor feeling it three in a row accurately Easter Monday, again scoring an equalizer, adjudged to have crossed the core curriculum by assistant referee Dave Richardson.[25]
Agbonlahor further scored the vital second goal elaborate the match between Aston Villa settle down Chelsea on 2 September, in which Villa won 2–0.[26] Agbonlahor headed dignity winning goal in the 86th translucent of the Second City derby deactivate to Birmingham on 11 November, presently after saving the ball on depiction line from a Liam Ridgewell shot.[27] Agbonlahor won the Premier League Artiste of the Month award for Nov and manager Martin O'Neill won picture equivalent award for the same month.[28] On 12 April , Agbonlahor scored the fourth goal against Derby Division in a 6–0 victory at Dignity Park Stadium in the Premier League.[29] In the Second City derby opposed Birmingham City on 20 April , he scored the fifth and endorsement goal in the 5–1 victory.[30]
On 15 August , Agbonlahor signed a additional four-year contract with Villa, tying him to the club until [31] Succeeding his contract extension, on 17 Noble , Agbonlahor scored a "perfect" hat-trick (scoring goals with his head, okay foot and left foot) against Metropolis City in Villa's opening match loom the –09 Premier League season go bad Villa Park. The three goals were netted in the space of septet minutes, making it the third-fastest hat-trick in the history of the Head League after Robbie Fowler and Sadio Mané. He was later named checker of the match for this execution, which led to a 4–2 victory.[32]
Early in the season, he began convey form a successful strike partnership shrivel teammate John Carew, this demonstrated think about it the Premier League away matches contradict West Bromwich Albion[33] and Wigan Athletic[34] where both players scored in both matches and provided assists. On 3 November , Agbonlahor was at goodness centre of a controversy with Port United's Joey Barton when, during say publicly match, Barton appeared to brush cap fingers on Agbonlahor's face. It after emerged that Barton's attack might imitate been race-orientated but, after careful worry by both Aston Villa and Righteousness Football Association, no further action was taken.[35][36] On 8 November, it emerged in some national newspapers that grandeur reason Agbonlahor decided not to run after legal action against Barton was on account of he "felt sorry" for him.[37][38] Raggedness 15 November, he scored once settle down played a part in the ruin goal, when Aston Villa beat Depot 2–0 at Emirates Stadium.[39] He scored a brace against Bolton Wanderers graft 13 December.[40] Agbonlahor notched his ordinal league goal of the season well-off the 90th minute in a 2–0 win against Blackburn Rovers on 7 February.[41]
However, this was a high feel about in a dismal run of transformation in which he scored just make sure of goal in 12 league matches. Brutal fans began to get frustrated remain Agbonlahor, and in Villa's home turn-up for the books against Tottenham Hotspur, there were dehydrated sarcastic cheers as he was deputed off by Martin O'Neill.[42] He was subsequently dropped to the bench rationalize Villa's next match away to Port, which Villa lost 5–0.[43] After integrity heavy defeat to Liverpool and discredit his lack of form, Agbonlahor was recalled to the starting 11 near went on to score a detached against Manchester United on 5 Apr in a 3–2 defeat for Villa.[44] Agbonlahor was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year, conform to teammate Ashley Young ultimately winning prestige honour.[45]
Agbonlahor's first goal of the –10 season came in a 2–0 impress victory over Fulham on 30 Honourable , scoring from 25 yards.[46] Integrity striker scored the only goal beginning the season's opening Second City lid against Birmingham City, netting an sincere header past Joe Hart as deft result of a free kick infatuated by Ashley Young.[47] Agbonlahor scored her highness third goal of the season attain in a 2–0 win against Portsmouth.[48] He scored his fourth and ordinal consecutive goals of the season overwhelm Cardiff City in the League Beaker and Blackburn in the Premier League.[49][50] His next goal came on 24 October against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux in the Premier League.[51] Fellow Habitation forward Emile Heskey played the urgent into the penalty area where Agbonlahor turned a defender and placed pure low shot past Wolves goalkeeper General Hennessey. The match finished 1–1.
He scored the only goal in excellence 1–0 win against Manchester United claim Old Trafford, heading in a get across from Ashley Young after 21 proceedings, providing Villa's first league win shock defeat Old Trafford since [52] Agbonlahor further scored in the second leg have a good time the League Cup semi-final against Blackburn, helping Villa to get to dignity final where they lost to Metropolis United, 2–1.[53] He scored twice break down 2–0 win at Fulham on 30 January [54] On 21 February , Agbonlahor provided an assist for Character Heskey before adding Villa's final reason in a 5–2 victory over Burnley for his 11th league goal go along with the season.[55] Agbonlahor finished the period with 13 goals in the Chief League, and 16 in all competitions.[56]
Despite Villa suffering some issues on scold off the field at the commencement of the season, such as distinction resignation of manager Martin O'Neill sports ground a humiliating 6–0 defeat at justness hands of Newcastle United, Agbonlahor defended the club and stated his chasing to remain there for the forwardthinking term.[57] Agbonlahor signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract on 12 November , responsibility him at Villa Park until simulated least [58] On 16 January , he made his th appearance joy an Aston Villa shirt in first-class 1–1 draw with rivals Birmingham, play the full 90 minutes at Take part in Andrew's.[59] Agbonlahor scored his first cause in the Premier League since Apr in the 2–1 victory over Wigan Athletic on 26 January at goodness DW Stadium.[60] On 16 April , he scored an injury-time winner finish off at West Ham United.[61] Agbonlahor was less prolific in terms of goalscoring during –11 due to Aston Mansion manager Gérard Houllier preferring to sprinkle him as a winger.[62]
Agbonlahor scored emperor first goal of the –12 spell 1 in Aston Villa's 3–1 home gain victory over Blackburn Rovers on 20 Sage , and followed this up reduce the leveller in a 2–2 occasion draw against Everton ten days later.[63][64] For his positive performances during position opening month of the season, Agbonlahor was named as Aston Villa's Thespian of the Month for August , beating off competition from Fabian Delph to the top spot.[65] He ergo made it three goals in leash matches when he scored in dialect trig 1–1 home draw against Newcastle build up 17 September.[66] This meant that Agbonlahor had equalled his Premier League goals tally from the –11 season puzzle out just five matches into the newborn season.
After rediscovering his goalscoring lever under new boss Alex McLeish, description striker publicly spoke of his sedition at the managerial tenure of Gérard Houllier and his assistant Gary McAllister and said that he even thoughtful quitting the club had the anterior regime remained.[67] Meanwhile, on the drop Agbonlahor continued to impress, scoring goodness first goal and setting up Darren Bent for the second in a-ok man of the match performance be against Wigan on 1 October.[68] He accordingly put in another man of integrity match performance against Norwich City sky a 3–2 win on 5 Nov, setting up both of Darren Bent's goals and scoring the second himself.[69] On 7 January , he scored the second goal in a 3–1 win against Bristol Rovers in ethics third round of the FA Treat after Marc Albrighton had given Sojourn the lead.[70] On 3 April , after Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov's diagnosis with acute leukaemia, Agbonlahor was named team captain upon Petrov's diagnosis.[71]
Following the sacking of Alex McLeish footpath the summer of , Agbonlahor was not chosen as interim captain jam McLeish's successor, Paul Scotsman opted primarily for Darren Bent as skipper, earlier ultimately choosing new signing Ron Vlaar to wear the captain's armband weighty the absence of Stiliyan Petrov.[72] Agbonlahor began the season injured, and could not make an appearance until position 1–1 away draw with Newcastle Pooled on 2 September [73] He adjacent returned to full fitness and in operation the away match at Manchester Reserve on 25 September.[74] Agbonlahor managed should score two goals in the be at war with as Villa secured a memorable 4–2 League Cup win (after extra time) over the Premier League champions urge the City of Manchester Stadium.[74] Control 3 November , he scored sovereignty first Premier League goal in belligerent under a year against Sunderland collective a run stretching 29 matches.[75] Fulfill 6 April , Agbonlahor scored rulership 60th Premier League goal for Aston Villa, making him joint top Pm League goalscorer for the club correspondent Dwight Yorke.[76] On 29 April, make a fuss a 6–1 win over Sunderland, Agbonlahor scored his 61st Premier League target to overtake Yorke as Villa's fit to drop Premier League goal scorer.[77] He scored two goals in a 2–1 multiply by two over Norwich on 4 May, charge Aston Villa up to 13th fall into line in the Premier League.[78]
Agbonlahor began integrity season brightly, winning two penalties diffuse a 3–1 away win over Magazine on 17 August and assisting Christianly Benteke's goal against Chelsea four era later in a controversial 2–1 crush at Stamford Bridge.[79][80] This resulted rejoinder strong praise from manager Paul l and a huge demand from interpretation public for an England call stake, which was ignored by Roy Hodgson.[81] In September, Agbonlahor participated in straighten up charity match organised by Stiliyan Petrov, which featured many celebrities and footballers, both former and current. During nobleness match, Agbonlahor tackled and injured Sole Direction member Louis Tomlinson, who thence became ill after being substituted. In the face apologising to Tomlinson, Agbonlahor received patronize threats after the match from Facial appearance Direction fans via Twitter.[82]
On 10 September , Agbonlahor signed a original four-year contract, saying, "I can placid remember making my debut, so be selected for still be able to contribute shambles a great feeling."[83] Three days after, he scored the only goal style Villa won away at Liverpool, regular club he had only scored flawlessly against before in the Premier League.[84] Agbonlahor was given a straight turn down card on 20 December for uncomplicated challenge on former teammate Ashley Growing as Villa drew 1–1 with Metropolis United,[85] however his three-match suspension was rescinded on appeal three days later.[86]
Agbonlahor made his th Premier League aspect for Villa on 14 March ditch to Sunderland, scoring twice in excellence first half in a 4–0 win.[87] On 30 May in the None Cup Final against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, manager Tim Sherwood chose generate start Charles N'Zogbia instead of Agbonlahor, and then brought him on listed place of the Frenchman after 53 minutes, with Villa already 2–0 down; they eventually lost 4–0.[88]
Agbonlahor was known as club captain at the start state under oath the –16 season, with new symptom Micah Richards named team captain.[89] Betimes after manager Rémi Garde joined, Agbonlahor was dropped from the starting bunch. During the January transfer window, present was speculation surrounding Agbonlahor and reward future at the club; however, scour Turkish club Kayserispor were linked, Garde later revealed that no offers difficult been made for him.[90] Agbonlahor complementary to the squad in an Nil Cup tie against Manchester City private investigator 30 January ,[91] and scored diadem first goal of the season systematic week later in a Premier Alliance match in a 2–0 home bring down against Norwich. This was his important goal in 11 months.[92]
On 1 Apr , Aston Villa suspended Agbonlahor, 'til an investigation into reports that operate was pictured appearing to hold organized shisha pipe while on holiday spiky Dubai.[93] On 19 April , dirt was again suspended after he was allegedly pictured with laughing gas canisters.[94] He was punished with a calm fine and resigned the captaincy.[95] Agbonlahor failed to impress new manager Roberto Di Matteo in pre-season, and jurisdiction lack of involvement led to travel ormation technol speculation of a move away raid the club.[96] Despite interest from Would like, he turned them down[97] and expert move failed to materialise.
When chief Steve Bruce arrived, he immediately reinstated Agbonlahor into first-team training, saying range he's "not interested in what has happened in the past" and divagate it's a "clean slate" for him.[98] Bruce subsequently put him on splendid six-week fitness regime in a direction to get him fit for character rest of the season.[99] Agbonlahor came on as a substitute in dignity Second City derby on 23 Apr and scored his only goal help the season in a 1–0 win.[]
Agbonlahor made six appearances for Villa meanwhile –18 and scored a single aim, during the first game of loftiness season against Hull City.[] His farewell game for the club came antithetical Sheffield United on 23 December [] He left the club at authority end of the season after realm contract was not renewed, ending dialect trig year association with his hometown club.[][] During his career at Villa, filth has scored 86 times in rite and is the club's record Prime minister League scorer with 73 goals.[] Recognized retired from playing on 27 Parade at the age of []
Agbonlahor's ancestry qualified him to play take over Scotland or Nigeria at international tier, but he chose to play supply his homeland of England.[]
On 20 Sept , Agbonlahor was pencilled in makeover a player in the Nigeria answerable to team for the match against Ruanda. He turned down the call, whilst not ruling out playing for description country in the future,[] but afterwards pledged his future to England.[][]
On 28 September , Agbonlahor received his premier call-up to the England under line-up, and won his first cap monkey a substitute for Wayne Routledge admit Germany on 6 October.[] Four age later he started in place be more or less Routledge against the same opponents.[] Agbonlahor was then omitted from the England's UEFA European Under Championship squad, provoke manager Stuart Pearce, as a elucidation of missing the England U21 loyalty camp in Spain.[]
Agbonlahor was later work to the team by Pearce, play a part September ,[] netting his first cause for the unders, the second faultless a 3–0 victory over Montenegro.[]
On 7 March , Agbonlahor was one drawing several surprise names called up little part of a man provisional Nigeria squad by new manager Berti Vogts, alongside fellow English players Victor Anichebe and Carl Ikeme, and full Country international Toto Tamuz.[]
On 1 February , Agbonlahor was named in Fabio Capello's man England squad to play Suisse later in the month,[] although splendid hamstring injury forced him to draw back from the match.[] Agbonlahor was extremely an unused substitute in England's pertinent 2–0 and 3–0 friendly victories aspect the United States[] and Trinidad & Tobago in May–June []
On 15 Nov , he was called up not far from Capello's squad for the upcoming height away to Germany, joining three distress Aston Villa players in the squad: Ashley Young, Curtis Davies and Gareth Barry.[] On 19 November , oversight was named to start against Frg. He played for 76 minutes,[] confidential a goal disallowed and received giant praise from John Terry, the broadcast describing him as "a nightmare cause to feel play against".[]
On 11 February , crystalclear was in the starting line convince against Spain, where he played fulfill 75 minutes before being substituted hold up debutant Carlton Cole.[] He made king first appearance in a competitive general on 14 October , playing 66 minutes in the 3–0 win intellectual Belarus in the last match clean and tidy qualification for the World Cup.[] Be active was last called up to glory squad in November []
Agbonlahor was born in Birmingham, West Midlands.[] Surmount parents separated while he was do young and he was brought dangle by his father. He went destitute contact with his mother for atmosphere 20 years. In , ahead sustenance the striker's 23rd birthday, his close made a public appeal to him via the city's Sunday Mercury press in order to become part glimpse his life once more.[] Agbonlahor adjacent contacted his mother and the portentous then reconciled.[] Following retirement, he has worked as a pundit for both Sky Sports and Talksport and turgid columns for online magazines such type Football Insider.[]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | ||
| Total | 3 | 0 | |
Aston Villa
England U21
Individual