Aston Villa Football Club News

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

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Gabby earns O'Neill praise

12 Oct 2007 - 12:34:10

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill believes a full call up to the England national side is on the horizon for impressive youngster Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The 20-year-old forward is set to play for the Under-21 side against Montenegro in Leicester on Friday night.

But O'Neill believes it won't be long before the graduate of the club's academy system is knocking on the door of Steve McClaren's full England squad if he continues to progress at the same rate.

Agbonlahor has found the net three times in ten games so far this season.

"Gabby is getting stronger, better - his ability to get the ball down and shield it from players has really come on," O'Neill told the club's official website.

"He's really developed that side of his game and he's looking a real player.

"I don't want 15 players in the England squad because I'll have none left myself!

"But Gabby's time will come if he continues to play and develop the way he is.

"There's no reason at this minute why he can't develop because that's what he wants to do. Everyone must see the difference in him from this time last year.

"Patrik Berger said to me in the dressing room after the game that he's come on leaps and bounds in terms of his improvement and that's great credit to the lad."