Aston Villa: Gabby Agbonlahor likely not fit for Second City Derby

Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor will likely not be fit in time for Sunday’s Second City Derby in Birmingham.

If there is one thing long-time Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor years for, it is a proper Second City Derby. Unfortunately for the 31-year old, he is set to miss the first one of the year.

Gabby’s calf injury is continually nagging the speedster, who has not featured in six weeks.

Fortunately for Aston Villa, Jonathan Kodjia and Keinan Davis have been in fine form as a strike partnership. Moreover, Albert Adomah can’t stop scoring and Robert Snodgrass is creating from his right wing position.

Gabby is not exactly missed by any means, but something about the Second City Derby brings out the best in him:

He is likely on the peripheral of the eighteen anyway. Taking Agbonlahor on the bench sacrifices an attacking player like: Birkir Bjarnason, Jack Grealish, or Callum O’Hare.

In other news, Aston Villa U23s succumbed to Reading in Premier League 2 action. Callum O’Hare and Harry McKirdy were on target for the claret and clues in a 3-2 loss.

The match featured several first-team players. Number two goalkeeper Jed Steer played the full ninety minutes to maintain freshness. Barring an injury to Sam Johnstone, Steer will have to wait until FA Cup action for match time.

Corey Blackett-Taylor played on the wing alongside Callum O’Hare underneath. Jack Grealish – attempting to up match fitness for Sunday – featured as well for the reserve side. Jordan Lyden, Jake Doyle-Hayes, and Easah Suliman all played, too.

The Under-23 side currently reside in fourth place out of 12 in their PL2 division. Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers, and Reading top the table.