Exclusive: Agbonlahor gutted at Newcastle beating Aston Villa to £20m signing
Gabby Agbonlahor has revealed his frustration at Newcastle United beating his old club Aston Villa to the signing of Callum Wilson.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Villa forward was "disappointed" when Steve Bruce's side won the race to prise the prolific striker from Bournemouth.
Newcastle announced the capture of Wilson on 7 September after he agreed the terms of a four-year contract.
The fee for the England international was not disclosed but Newcastle had a £20m bid for Wilson accepted shortly after Villa had an offer of £15m rejected by Bournemouth.
It was significant expenditure from the often-cautious owner Mike Ashley but has proved to be a shrewd deal.
Wilson has made an instant impact at St James' Park, scoring six goals from the club's eight Premier League matches this season.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider: "Pace kills, simple as that. If you've got pace on your team then
you’ll cause problems.
"Wilson, I’ve got him in my fantasy football team, I knew he was going to score goals. He’s the perfect striker they needed.
"I was surprised when Aston Villa didn’t get him, I was disappointed he chose Newcastle. He can score goals, he’s a poacher you look at his second goal he's there on the line, and he's got the pace to run in behind and it's something that Newcastle needed.
"Andy Carroll does a job for a plan B but you can't rely on him. Steve Bruce knew that, he always said at Villa ‘you're only as good as your strikers’.
"Bringing in Wilson is the perfect player to play on the counter attack and play hold up play, and run in behind. He can score, head, he’s got everything."