Gabriel Agbonlahor backs Aston Villa to sign ‘excellent’ Chelsea star

Aston Villa legend Gabriel Agbonlahor has given his approval to his former club to sign Chelsea striker Raheem Sterling.

The 82-cap England international hopes to move away from Stamford Bridge this summer following the recent arrivals of Joao Felix and Pedro Neto, the latter of whom will wear Sterling’s number 7 shirt.

Sterling was linked with a number of Premier League clubs in the summer, with Newcastle and Aston Villa among the highest-profile names.

Italian giant Juventus are also said to be seriously interested.

Sterling has not played a single game for Chelsea this season, against Man City in the Premier League and Servette in the UEFA Conference League.

Agbonlahor gives green light to Aston Villa’s pursuit of Sterling

With rumours of a potential takeover of Sterling by Villa accelerating, former striker Agbonlahor – who scored 87 goals in 391 games for the club between 2005 and 2018 – has sung the praises of the forward, who he would like to see play under Unai Emery.

“I just think, ‘why not?'” he told talkSPORT. “You know, Raheem Sterling is 29. We’re not talking about someone in his mid-30s. At the start of last season we all said, how can he not be called up by Gareth Southgate?’

“He was in such great form. Chelsea were a mess last season. Players weren’t given the chance to prove themselves. It was a bad season for most Chelsea players.

“So if it’s good and the club wants to do it, why shouldn’t the Aston Villa fans get behind him? Because he’s a great player if he’s coached well by a top coach like Unai Emery – I’m sure he’ll get the best out of himself.”

Agbonlahor believes Sterling could be a huge asset to Villa’s upcoming Champions League campaign. The 29-year-old has made 83 appearances in Europe’s top table in the past, scoring 27 goals and providing 17 assists.

“I think it’s good to have competition,” he continued. “Last season Ollie Watkins was very lucky not to have a serious injury. You know what football can do. Sometimes you can have a serious injury somewhere. You have to have options.

“And with (Jhon) Duran, he’s a player that, yes, there’s been talk about how difficult it can be to manage and coach at times, but his talent is there to be shown.

“And he is a player that you need in the Champions League now too. It will be difficult for players to play Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, week in, week out.

“You need that competition for places. And (Morgan) Rogers is one I really like as well. He could play as a number nine if needed, not just on the left.

“There is competition for places all over the pitch now, but I think Aston Villa are missing out on (Joao) Felix – the player Unai Emery wanted – which means there is money available. (Alex) Moreno has left to go to Nottingham Forest.

“There are funds available for Aston Villa to do some business in the last week of the transfer window, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Sterling case goes through or if someone else comes in.”