Aston Villa: World Cup won't get in the way says Gabby

Nov 24 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

GABBY Agbonlahor today vowed that Villa’s England contingent will not allow their World Cup ambitions to get in the way of Martin O’Neill’s Champions League crusade.

Agbonlahor is one of half-a-dozen claret and blue players hoping to force their way into Fabio Capello’s squad for next summer’s tournament in South Africa.

The Brummie striker was left out of the last party for England’s disappointing friendly defeat to Brazil in Qatar despite starting the domestic season in impressive form.

But Villa’s seven-goal top scorer insists he is more concerned with aiding the top-four challenge for his club than worrying about what the future holds for his country.

“There is still a long way to go before players have to think if they will be in a World Cup or not,” said Agbonlahor.

“That is not on our minds. It can only be good for the team that we are all playing to impress and get on that plane, players like myself, Ashley Young, James Milner, Emile Heskey, and we have Stewart Downing coming back. We will be trying to perform well and that can only be good for the club.

“This is what you want as a footballer but the World Cup isn’t even on my mind at the moment. I just want to do my best playing for Aston Villa and then see what happens. Every season I have been looking to move on and I think over the last three season I have improved.

“I think this season for me I just want to keep on improving and scoring more goals. If I can keep on improving my game for the team as well you never know what can happen.”

Earlier this month Agbonlahor was left out of the England squad to face Brazil despite making his first start for his country in the previous game, the friendly victory over Belarus.

But rather than being too despondent about his omission, the 23-year-old is looking at the positives by insisting he will benefit from the break during the course of the season.

“I would like to have been in the England squad, but it has been nice to get a little rest,” said Agbonlahor.

“It is nice to get a few days off and recharge ahead of the next couple of games because we have got a busy Christmas coming up.

“There are other teams with players who haven’t had a chance to have a little break.

“I wasn’t really surprised because there are different players and new names in the England squad and the manager is trying to give everyone a chance.

“I think there is still a chance for me to get in there.

“You do your best for your club and then if get the call for England you are over the moon.

“If you don’t then you don’t let it get you down you just keep doing what you are doing for your club.

“Hopefully you might make the England manager make a change. Some managers might not see what you are doing for your club as an option for your country.

‘‘He might feel you are not his type of player so you just do what you do for your club and hope you get that chance.”