England warned over Gabby Agbonlahor omission

Tony Morley today warned England they should have gambled on Gabby Agbonlahor to fire them to the World Cup.

moreThe ex-Villa star reckons in-form Agbonlahor would have been ideal for the Three Lions in tonight's key qualifier in Ukraine.

Three-cap Agbonlahor has not played for his country in four years but a lightning start to the Premier League season saw boss Paul Lambert lead cries for a recall.

But Roy Hodgson ignored Agbonlahor despite being without the injured Wayne Rooney and Morley, who won six England caps, insisted it was a mistake.

"It's an important game for England. I don't think they can go there and hope for a draw, they have the players to go out there and win," said ex-Albion and Birmingham winger Morley, who made 180 appearances, scoring 34 goals, for Villa.

"They should have taken Gabby and had him on the bench. He can play that sort of impact role when his pace, especially when teams are getting tired, can be devastating.

"I would certainly have had him the squad. This is the best I've seen him play in the last three or four years. He's started the season very well, he's very sharp and very strong."