It'll be tough for Arsenal in Champion's League race, say Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor

Jan 16 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

LEADING scorer Gabby Agbonlahor believes Villa can afford to drop points at Sunderland tomorrow because of the tough run of fixtures lying in wait for Arsenal.

Villa head for the Stadium of Light looking to keep the pressure on the Gunners in the race for fourth.

They hold a three-point cushion and have a seemingly winnable set of games ahead which sees them travel to Portsmouth and Blackburn and tackle Wigan at home.

Arsenal face a difficult trip to Hull City tomorrow, travel to Goodison Park to take on sixth-placed Everton and then face three London derbies against West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham inside four games.

“We’re three points ahead of Arsenal so we can afford to drop points (at Sunderland),” said Agbonlahor.

“Even if we go to Sunderland and draw and Arsenal win, then we still stay above them.

“We will be going there with confidence and if we take anything from the game it will be a good result.”

Much has been made of Villa’s style of football following the