Gabby Agbonlahor: We've got top three worried

Jan 20 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

thought Liverpool or Chelsea can afford not to look over their shoulders.”

Agbonlahor points out that all of the big clubs – barring Manchester United – have been dropping points of late. United have mirrored Villa’s run of five wins and a draw from their last six games, but have scored only seven goals in the process.

Agbonlahor said Everton cannot be discounted either.

He added: “Liverpool drew against Stoke – every game is tough. Every team is showing you will have to be at your best to beat them,” he said.

“Manchester United beat Wigan

by four or five last season, last week they beat them by one. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of months.

“Everton are creeping up there as well. There are six teams who are running away with it at the moment.

“You just have to look at Everton’s results, they have had a lot of strikers out but I don’t think they will change their formation either.

“Their form is an incentive to us to keep on picking up points.”

Agbonlahor has defended Villa’s counter-attacking style which bought them both goals and another three points at Sunderland.

“Even the top teams do it. Look at Manchester United, that’s how Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney play,” he said.

“If you have got that in your team it’s good. You soak up pressure and hit them on the counter-attack.

“If you look at the teams that have done it this season it has worked for them. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” he said.

“If we pack the midfield and hit teams on the counter with the wingers and Gareth Barry attacking as well, we can do well against teams.”