Gabby against Villa rest

Striker happy to play on through gruelling schedule

Last updated: 10th November 2008

Gabby against Villa rest

Agbonlahor: Keen to play on

I don't feel tired or jaded. I am fine. I am a fit young man.

Agbonlahor
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Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor disagrees with manager Martin O'Neill's assessment that he needs a rest.

The 22-year-old fleet-footed striker has been superb for Villa so far this term, but has failed to find the back of the net in his last three appearances.

Villa boss O'Neill feels that the striker would benefit from a short rest in order to recharge his batteries; however, Agbonlahor insists he does not feel tired or jaded.

"Of course, it will help the boys to be able to rest their legs during the week after a lot of midweek matches recently," he stated.

"We can be fresh for Saturday against Arsenal. People say I haven't had a rest but I don't mind. You want to be playing. You don't want to be sitting on the bench.

"I am happy with carrying on playing. I don't feel tired or jaded. I am fine. I am a fit young man."

Sidwell backing

Meanwhile, Agbonlahor is backing team-mate Steve Sidwell to bounce back from his blunder against Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Sidwell's mistake allowed Tuncay Sanli to bag all three points for Boro as Villa slumped to a surprise defeat on home soil.

"Everyone makes mistakes," he continued. "Steve scored and won the game for us against Slavia Prague so he has done good things as well for us and he will come back.

"He had a pretty good game. I think he just misplaced a pass. These things happen. You see them every week in the Premier League. We had enough chances to have won the game."