Aston Villa: Gary Cahill tips old mate Gabby Agbonlahor to make an impact with England

Oct 11 2009 by Lisa Smith, Sunday Mercury

FORMER Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill is backing his old claret and blue colleague Gabby Agbonlahor to be a hit on the international stage following his England recall.

As youngsters they grew up together on the Bodymoor Heath academy pitches and progressed through the youth set up and the reserves to the Villa first team.

And it was a case of ‘friends reunited’ when Cahill and Agbonlahor linked up again this week after being called up into Fabio Capello’s Three Lions squad.

The Bolton centre-half recalls sharing jokes and lifts to training with Agbonlahor as they prospered under Villa youth coach Tony McAndrew.

Cahill has since left Villa in a £5 million move to Bolton Wanderers while Agbonlahor stayed on and is this season in great form with five goals in five games.

Yesterday’s clash in Ukraine and Wednesday’s Wembley match against Belarus are dead rubbers because England have already qualified.

But Cahill is delighted that himself and his fellow Villa academy graduate have been included in the squads as they pursue their personal World Cup ambitions.

“Gabby and I grew up together at Villa and of course I know him really well,” said Cahill, who was part of the Trotters defence terrorised by Agbonlahor in last season’s 4-2 Villa victory at Villa Park.

“He has always been known as a talented young player and obviously everyone raves about his pace but he has improved vastly as a player in recent seasons.

“His touch and his movement are now really impressive and he has been coming into play a lot more. He is going to be an exceptional international striker and I would love to see him succeed.

“He is a threat. He is still very young and he has still got a lot to learn but he is a brilliant player and I am sure he will do well for England given the chance.”

Agbonlahor was recalled to the latest squad following his prolific form after missing out on the previous two get-togethers. Before yesterday he already had two England caps to his name and is rated as one of the best up and coming young strikers in the country.

Cahill, meanwhile, joined up with Capello’s squad still waiting for his first senior cap after serving his apprenticeship with the under-21s. Because of the fierce competition for England in Cahill’s position, the Yorkshire-born battler has had to rely on last gasp call-ups after other players pulled out.

His latest chance came as a result of Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott withdrawing with injury and he is aiming to make the most of his opportunity.

But Cahill admits it has got to the stage where he is scared to book holidays during the international break – just in case he misses a phone-call from Capello.