Gabby Agbonlahor turned 30 years old earlier this week and the Aston Villa forward received the best present possible from new boss Steve Bruce – another chance at the Championship club. His football career has taken a nosedive in recent years due to off the field issues as well as a poor run of form.
Agbonlahor was the next generation of England star to break through the ranks at Villa in the mid 2000s. But as the Birmingham outfit’s Premier League status spiralled downwards, so did Agbonlahor’s form.
We at Football FanCast certainly haven’t forgotten about the Aston Villa forward or his birthday. And it might not quite be a birthday cake, but we’ve accordingly assembled this select XI in honour of one-club men like Agbonlahor.
In ‘Gabby Agbonlahor’s one-club men XI’, we take a look at eleven of the most loyal stars throughout the history of the beautiful game.
Goalkeeper – Packie Bonner
The Republic of Ireland international earned 80 caps for the national team after making his debut on his 21st birthday.
Bonner went on to play 642 times for Celtic, with 483 of those being league appearances. In total with Celtic, he won four League Championship badges, three Scottish Cup winners’ medals and a League Cup winners’ medal.
His last appearance for Celtic was winning the 1995 Scottish Cup final under Tommy Burns, ending a 17-year career with the Glasgow club.
Right-Back – Gary Neville
As a player, the only people who liked Gary Neville were Manchester United fans. His arrogance mixed with his gritty style of play infuriated many fans but there’s not a single person who can take away his achievements.
Neville was a member of the famous Class of ’92 and played for the club until 2011, when injury caused him to cut his career short. Neville has since gone onto be a very successful pundit and worthy of his place his as an iconic one-club man.
Centre-back – Tony Adams
‘Mr Arsenal’ was his nickname. Tony Adams is considered as one of the greatest English centre backs of all time.
He played over 25 league games in 14 of his 18 seasons at Arsenal and was made captain in January 1988 at the tender age of 21. He most notably scored the final goal against Everton to seal the Championship in 1998.
Adams also won a lot of major honours including four top flight division titles, three FA Cups, two Football League Cups, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and three FA Community Shields.
Centre-back – John Terry
Very like Gary Neville, John Terry is certainly not the most popular in England. However, no one can deny his importance to Chelsea over the past 15 years.
Terry has led his team to three Premier League trophies, four FA Cups, two League Cups and that amazing Champions League trophy in 2012. Chelsea are lost when their captain doesn’t play and many are dreading the retirement of the former England captain.
Terry was named UEFA Club Defender of the Year in 2005, 2008 and 2009.
Left-back – Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher gave a quarter of a century of loyal service to the Merseyside club despite never winning a Premier League title. The former England international won every other major honour with Liverpool but failed to secure that illustrious league title.
Jamie Carragher made 508 appearances in the Premier League and a total of 737 in all competitions and is considered one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players.
Central Midfield – Andy King
Andy King may not have the glamour name of someone like Steven Gerrard but the Leicester City midfielder has more Premier League medals. King is a worth mention as he has represented Leicester in every division from League 1 to the Premier League.
King has often been overlooked in recent times but he has remained at his boyhood club.
Central Midfield – Mark Noble
Mark Noble is the first thought that comes to your mind when you think of West Ham.
He joined West Ham as a youth player in 2000 and 16 years on, he’s made more than 300 league appearances.
Noble has been ever-present for the Hammers despite them being relegated in 2011. He made 45 appearances from 46 games when the club was searching for promotion from the Championship, symbolising his importance to the team.
Central Midfield – Paul Scholes
Arguably the greatest midfielder of his generation and the most underrated player in Premier League history. Scholes was yet another member of the Class of ’92 and his importance to Manchester United remains undoubted.
Eleven Premier League, three FA Cup and two UEFA Champions League winner’s medals along with two League Cup successes made Scholes an icon at United.
Right Wing – Matt Le Tissier
Matt Le Tissier is a legend on the South Coast and even struck up the nickname ‘Le God’. The midfielder may have been constantly overlooked by England but Le Tissier spent 16 years at Southampton and ensured they stayed in the top-flight almost single-handed.
The midfielder turned down offers from bigger clubs – including Tottenham Hotspur in 1990 and Chelsea in 1996. He remained at the club until 2002 and clocked up 442 appearances for his team.
Left Wing – Ryan Giggs
Giggs is the most decorated player in English football history and also holds the club record for competitive appearances.
During his time at United, he won 13 Premier League winner’s medals, 4 FA Cup winner’s medals, 3 League Cup winner’s medals and 2 Champions League winner’s medals.
Giggs became the assistant to Louis van Gaal and was tipped to become their manager in the future.
Striker – Gabby Agbonlahor
It would be fair to say Gabby Agbonlahor has underachieved in his career thus far. When the Villa youth broke into the first-team, many were tipping the forward to become a club legend.
No one can doubt Agbonlahor’s loyalty to Villa down the years. Nonetheless, the England international has still managed to score 84 goals for his boyhood club and he’s only just turned 30.
Agbonlahor still has a number of years left and if he cam take his chance under Steve Bruce, then the best may be yet to come.