Gabriel Agbonlahor Signs New Contract With Aston Villa

Just two days after appearing in claret and blue for the first time in what seems like forever, Gabby Agbonlahor has signed a new contract with Aston Villa, keeping him at the club until 2015.

Back in August, the 24 year old striker declared that he wanted to spend his entire career with Villa, with the local lad seeing no reason to leave the area. Agbonlahor may be young but he's the one who's been with the club the longest, coming up through the Villa Academy, which he entered in 1994 at age eight.

While Marc Albrighton, Ciaran Clark and Eric Lichaj have all signed shiny new contracts this season, it's Gabby's four and a half year deal that's making me smile the most. Aston Villa are a club that's been losing its players as they reach their prime, not keeping them around. And with the news of spats between Gerard Houllier and other players, it was easy to start wondering if maybe his appointment wasn't the best decision. But if Agbonlahor put pen to paper, it makes me wonder if the problem's not with the manager, but rather with the under-performing players.

Gabriel Agbonlahor had less than thirty minutes on the pitch on Wednesday, but he should be back as the starting striker against Manchester United on Saturday.