Aston Villa legend Ian Taylor backs Gabriel Agbonlahor to turn things around

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The forward is looking to make up for a terrible campaign in 2015-16.

Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor

Aston Villa legend Ian Taylor has backed one of the players who struggled last term to come good this season, as he gave his support to Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The former Villa player had this to say about the forward to the Daily Star:

“You can always forgive bad performances – some players simply aren’t good enough.

“But when it looks like players aren’t giving 100 per cent, that’s when fans will question them.

“Any manager coming in will say: ‘prove to me you want to play for the football club’ – and Gabby’s got to do that.

“I was playing in the Championship at 35, so there’s still time for Gabby.

Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor scores their second goal

“Sometimes you can spend too long at a football club, and there’s been a few people saying Gabby should have moved on.

“But if he’s a Villa fan and if he wants to play for the football club then he’s got to show it and prove it.”

Aston Villa fans with Gabby Agbonlahor masks

The comments come after a disastrous season for Aston Villa – but in particular Agbonlahor.

First he was suspended for his actions on a holiday in Dubai, then he was given two weeks off to get in shape and was then suspended again – after another night on the town went public, this time apparently the night Villa suffered relegation to the Championship – as reported by The Sun.

New manager Roberto Di Matteo during the press conference

Considering Villa’s woeful season many people will always be looking for a scapegoat and Agbonlahor made himself an easy target.

Of course he apologised this summer and was quoted by the Birmingham Mail recently as stating:

“I’ll be trying to give 100% every game if I’m chosen, and just to do what the whole squad will be trying to do – pay the fans back for their support and get the club back to where it belongs.”

If Agbonlahor can get focused and fit, then he will be a massive asset in the Championship.

He’s a local lad and did not win caps for England for nothing. If this is a genuine new dawn than he could genuinely be like a new signing for Aston Villa this summer.