Aston Villa Football Club News

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Alex McLeish

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Gabby disappoints Pearce

30 May 2007 - 16:58:47

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Coach Stuart Pearce believes the England Under-21 squad will not be weakened despite the surprise omission of Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The Aston Villa striker was left out of Pearce's 23-man squad for next month's European Championships in the Netherlands after failing to attend a training camp in Spain.

The Football Association have also failed to get in touch with Agbonlahor, who netted ten times for Villa last season.

Pearce trimmed his original 30-man squad down to the necessary 23 after opting to release injured Middlesbrough duo Lee Cattermole and Andrew Davies, plus Luke Moore, Michael Johnson, Lee Camp, Matt Kilgallon.

Speaking about Agbonlahor, he told Sky Sports News: "We called him up for the trip to Spain and he was on holiday at the time.

"He's failed to respond to the phone calls the FA have made to him.

"He must have his own reasons but my focus is on the players that have shown up."

Meanwhile, Pearce claims he has not considered taking his current part-time role as under-21s manager on a permanent basis despite his sacking from Manchester City following a disappointing Premier League campaign.

"At the moment I am pleased to be involved in the squad," he added.

"I've not really thought about it myself as I expected to be the Manchester City boss in the summer."