Gabby Agbonlahor back on the bench as Aston Villa aim to address a "dangerous period"
Nov 10 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
GABBY Agbonlahor will boost Villa by returning to the bench against Blackpool tonight with Gerard Houllier warning of a “dangerous period” for his players.
Agbonlahor will be in the matchday squad for the first time since Houllier’s debut match in mid-September after a delayed recovery from minor groin surgery.
Nathan Delfouneso will continue to lead the line, but there are also positive fitness bulletins on Emile Heskey and John Carew following his truce with the manager.
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Houllier insists it’s not a risk to name Agbonlahor as a substitute and is relishing the return of the striker who limped out of his opening win over Blackburn in the Carling Cup.
“He will be on the bench,” said Houllier. “I will rush him a bit on the bench.
“It is a huge boost. He has only played 20 minutes for me and then he had to leave in the first game against Blackburn.
“Since then he’s had the operation and now he’s back. I wouldn’t say he’s totally fit and ready but he can be on the bench and help out if needed.
“It is not a risk, I wouldn’t take a risk.
“Everything he does in training shows that he is okay, it is just a matter of match fitness now.
“I look at the records and he can score some goals.”
