Gabriel Agbonlahor Bio Send To Friend  

Feared in the Premier League for his pace, Agbonlahor attracted the attention of England coach Fabio Capello after an impressive few seasons with Aston Villa.

The striker began his career at Villa but failed to make the breakthrough, going on loan to Watford and Sheffield Wednesday, before eventually getting a regular chance in the first-team under new boss Martin O'Neill in the 2007 pre-season campaign.

His goalscoring record improved over the next year and he netted the second quickest hat-trick in the Premier League against Man City in August 2008, before getting his first international start against Germany in November. One of the most improved young players in the league, he continues to improve and should get valuable experience playing at the top level in South Africa.

Strengths: Pace and a cool head in front of goal. His versatility up front allows him to play as any one of a front three.

Weaknesses: Not the strongest of players, his aerial ability needs work and he suffers from not playing at the highest level.

Career high: He bagged a ''perfect'' hat-trick in seven minutes against Manchester City in the first game of the 2008-09 season.

Career low: Being omitted from England's U-21 Championship squad, by manager Stuart Pearce, in May 2007, as a result of missing a training camp in Spain.

Style: Pacy, self-assured, explosive, an electric finisher.

Quotes: ''Gabby is a nightmare to play against up front with his pace and we have seen what a threat he poses.'' Chelsea and England captain John Terry, November 2008.

Trivia: In September 2006, Agbonlahor was pencilled in as a player in the Nigeria U-20 team for the match against Rwanda, but chose to play for England instead.

Soccernet says: A great impact player to have in the squad, with bags of energy and pace to burn.