Stuart Pearce has challenged Villa’s England young guns to make themselves national heroes by ending the country’s long wait for a trophy.
The England under-21 coach leads his side into their European Championship play-off, with Wales desperate to succeed as a boss where he fell just short as a player.
Pearce has told his young lions – including Villa trio Gabby Agbonlahor, James Milner and Craig Gardner – they have the chance to write their own chapter in the nation’s football history.
England play the first leg at Ninian Park in Cardiff, before heading to Villa Park for Tuesday’s crucial second leg in the battle for a place in next year’s tournament.
Pearce said: “I was fortunate enough to be involved in the World Cup in 1990, when a quarter of a million people turned up at Luton Airport to see a team that had been beaten in a semi-final.
“I was also fortunate to be involved in 1996, when the country went crazy, after we got a little bit of momentum going in a tournament in our own back yard.
“I think winning is infectious, whatever trophy. At all age groups we are pretty successful but we have to win a trophy. That’s what it boils down to.
“I only ever lost six games in 78 games for the senior team but I haven’t got a trophy behind me or a winners medal to say ‘this is what I got playing for England’.”
Pearce hopes his under-21 dream does not end against Wales but he expects his job to be reviewed - if his youngsters fail to make it through their play-off.
The coach is regarded highly enough at the Football Association to be part of Fabio Capello’s staff with the seniors. It has been viewed by many as a way of nurturing homegrown coaching talent, although Pearce is also aware of the need to get results in matches such as the Wales clash.
He said: “When I joined 18 months ago on a full-time contract it was a two-year contract. That will be reviewed, I hope, next summer at the end of the tournament. That will change on Tuesday if we don’t get through the play-off situation.
“That is something I would have to speak to my bosses about. I would still be under contract until the summer but it will be a decision for me and my bosses.”
Agbonlahor and Milner look set to start in Cardiff, with Gardner most likely on the bench. Agbonlahor, who could spearhead a three-pronged strikeforce, admits he is on a double mission this evening.
The pacy forward, who turns 22 on Monday, wants to fire England to the finals and make a statement to Fabio Capello after he was omitted from the full squad again.
The striker said: “There are a few players at the under-21s who will be disappointed not to be in the full squad. Like them, I will be trying to prove a point in the games coming up to show I am good enough for a call-up.
“Of course, England is on my mind. I want to play well in the under-21s and I want to play well in the Premier League. I look at the players who are in there and try to work out what you have to do to try to take their place.
“I need to try to keep playing as I am. Hopefully, I will get a chance.”
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