Gabby Agbonlahor fit to go for Villa

Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has declared himself fit and raring to go ahead of a tough period of festive fixtures in which he hopes to deliver a sackful of goals.

The 24-year-old has had a stop-start season and has missed recent matches through injury and illness.

Agbonlahor last featured in the Carling Cup defeat at Birmingham and would have returned to the starting line-up against Wigan before the match was postponed.

But the forward will definitely be available against Tottenham on Boxing Day and is keen to give the Villa fans a festive treat against Spurs.

He joked: "A hat-trick on Boxing Day against Spurs and another at Manchester City would be nice.

"They don't come along very often, but hopefully I can go into the next few games and try to get something out of them all.

"I think everyone has enjoyed watching Tottenham this season. In the Champions League they have been entertaining and deservedly qualified for the last 16 top of their group.

"It is going to be a tough game but we have to make sure that, when they come to Villa Park, they don't get an easy ride.

"We gave Manchester United a tough game here and, in parts, Arsenal so we need to produce a performance like that. Over the past couple of seasons we've competed on the same level as Spurs.

"We have got some good results against these teams, so we'll need the same attitude that we had in those games and hopefully get something out of the game against Spurs and the games that follow."

Agbonlahor is poised to return to the team alongside Emile Heskey in attack, after a chest infection kept him out of the win over Albion.

And the England international is eager to get back on the pitch after last week's game against Wigan was postponed because of the weather.

He said: "I've had illness and injuries so it has been frustrating. I got another bug before Arsenal which made me miss that game so it has been a bit annoying really. Hopefully that has gone now and I can get back to concentrating on football.

"I was itching to get back against Wigan, so it was frustrating to go all the way down there and then have to come back without playing a game.

"Obviously the match being called off was annoying but the decision was made for the safety of the fans, so that is fair enough.

"You are mentally ready for the game and then it gets called off in the morning, but that's football and if it is not safe then it's the right decision.

"We've had a few injuries so perhaps you could say it was a blessing in disguise.

"Ashley Young would have missed the game against Wigan so he's been given an extra bit of time to be ready for Spurs."

Agbonlahor also admitted that the festive period is a tough time for footballers but insisted that every professional gets used to resisting the Christmas treats on offer.

He said: "In a perfect world you would want Christmas and New Year off but, obviously, as a footballer, you know that is the schedule of matches around this period. I've got used to it every year now.

"It is part of the job so you know you just have to do it."