Aston Villa tipped to name unexpected starting XI v Leicester after triple blow in last 24 hours – Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested Steven Gerrard may name some shock inclusions in his Aston Villa starting XI against Leicester City tomorrow (23 April).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer claimed every player is effectively on trial between now and the end of the season.
As quoted by club media today (22 April), Gerrard revealed he will be without Morgan Sanson, Bertrand Traore and Kortney Hause for the trip to the King Power.
Apart from that, he will have a full squad to choose from as he looks to end Villa’s run of three consecutive Premier League defeats.
Aston Villa have dropped to 15th in the table, eight points clear of the relegation zone.
“Steven Gerrard knows he needs a result,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s not going to be happy with the three losses in a row, he won’t want it to be four.
“He will be telling these players ‘You’re fighting for your Villa careers’. He’s already said that if they don’t do it he will bring in players that will.
“There is pressure on the Villa players to get a result and I think they will.
“Only Gerrard will know the right players to pick but some players have come in and not performed.
“You can’t second guess his team against Leicester because a lot of people haven’t been performing.
“Players have seven games now to prove that they should be part of the set-up next season. Gerrard won’t want to have players around in pre-season who shouldn’t be in the squad.”
In other news, Tottenham are plotting a move to sign an Aston Villa rising star.