Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier insists it is not a risk to bring striker Gabriel Agbonlahor back into his plans after a five-week lay-off following groin surgery for the home clash with Blackpool. Agbonlahor has not tasted any reserve-team action since his return to training last week but he will be among the substitutes for the Barclays Premier League clash against Ian Holloway's side. It is a welcome boost to Houllier who will be without fellow forwards Emile Heskey and John Carew for another three weeks with knee and calf problems respectively. Houllier said: "Gabby will be on the bench. It is a huge boost. He has only played 20 minutes for me and then he had to go off in my first game against Blackburn if you remember. "Now Gabby has had the operation and he's back. I wouldn't say that he's totally fit and ready but he can be on the bench and help out if needed. "It is not a risk, I wouldn't take a risk. Everything he does in training shows that he is okay. It is just a matter of match-fitness now. I look at the records and he can score some goals."
Source: PA
Source: PA