Gabriel Agbonlahor Still Has Big Role To Play At Aston Villa - Tim Sherwood

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood insists the club's new faces will not usurp stalwart Gabriel Agbonlahor.

The 28-year-old striker is the club's longest serving player and has watched on as the playing staff has undergone a summer overhaul.

New attackers Rudy Gestede, Jordan Ayew and Adama Traore have all been added to the forward line but Sherwood insists Agbonhalor is still the main man.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Agbonlahor, Benteke Ends Aston Villa's Loosing Streak

Christian Benteke's penalty in time added on ended a run of seven successive defeats for Aston Villa as they emerged 2-1 winners over West Brom in their Premier League clash on Tuesday. Benteke who also scored the winner from the penalty spot in the corresponding fixture last term though that was a seven goal thriller – restored the hosts one goal advantage after Saido Berahino had levelled for the visitors following Gabriel Agbonlahor's early strike.

Villa's win – their first in 13 league matches – is their first since beating bottom side Leicester three months ago and sees them climb out of the bottom three with a three point advantage over QPR and Burnley.

EPL: Gabriel Agbonlahor Passes Fitness Test To Face Stoke City

Gabriel Agbonlahor and Carles Gil have been passed fit for new Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwod's first game in charge against Stoke City on Saturday. Striker Agbonlahor (hamstring) and midfielder Gil (groin) missed the 2-1 FA Cup victory over Leicester City last weekend due to injury, but Sherwood revealed that the duo will face Mark Hughes' men at Villa Park.

But the former Tottenham head coach did not have such positive news of defenders Philippe Senderos (calf) and Nathan Baker (knock).
"Gabby was on fire today. Everyone is flying and can't wait to get started." Sherwood said at a press conference on Thursday.
"They just all want to play and it's great to see.