Source: SKY_Sports
Gabby rues gruelling campaign
Aston Villa star Gabriel Agbonlahor has admitted their early-season exertions have been affecting them.[LNB] Villa's campaign started way back in July in the Intertoto Cup and they dropped off the pace in recent weeks in the race to finish in the top four.[LNB]Agbonlahor has made 42 appearances this season and the striker admits the busy schedule has taken a toll on his performances.[LNB]"It has been a long season," Agbonlahor told the Birmingham Mail.[LNB]"Starting right back in July, playing in countries in the heat, I'm happy with the number of games I have played, because it means I have been injury-free and getting a long run.[LNB]"It can get mentally tiring but we've got the right people at the training ground to make sure we get the right amount of time off to recover."[LNB]HopefulDespite dropping down to fifth place behind Arsenal, Agbonlahor remains confident Villa can qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.[LNB]"Maybe we didn't expect to get that many points ahead of Arsenal but when we were confident and flying we were picking up a lot of results," added Agbonlahor.[LNB]"Everton finished fourth and Spurs went very close a couple of years ago but it is a huge ask to crack the top four when you look at their squads.[LNB]"Arsenal have got a lot of players coming back and with the players they have it's going to be really tough.[LNB]"But we've done really well this season and we've still got a chance of making the top four."[LNB]
