Agbonlahor's Villa career could be over
Gabriel Agbonlahor may have played his last game for Villa after being axed from the first team in humiliating fashion and told to improve his fitness.
Agbonlahor has been ruled out for at least the next fortnight after caretaker boss Eric Black took the stunning decision to place the club captain on a personal fitness programme.
He admitted the player is not currently "at the required level" to play in the Premier League. while refusing to rule out a return for the 29-year-old before the end of the season.
But Black conceded he would need to see an improvement in the fitness levels of a player who, on wages of £50,000-a-week, is among the club's top earners.
Villa, who could be have their relegation to the Championship confirmed at Manchester United tomorrow, are keen to offload Agbonlahor during the summer.
Asked about the forward's chances of playing again this season, Black replied: "It won't be totally up to me. It will be in terms of selection but I now need to see an improvement on his fitness.
"If I see an improvement, he's paid by Aston Villa to play football, and if he gets to a level there's no reason why I wouldn't (pick him)."
The latest development continued a controversial few weeks for Agbonlahor, who is both Villa's longest-serving player and their all-time Premier League top scorer.
He had missed their last two games, first being left out of the 4-0 defeat to Chelsea as the club investigated his conduct while on holiday in Dubai, before calling in sick 24 hours before last Saturday's 2-1 reverse to Bournemouth.
Black revealed he had taken the decision on Monday after assessing Agbonlahor's medical reports and that the striker had agreed with and accepted the need to improve his fitness.
Agbonlahor, who is not facing a club fine, will spend tomorrow training with the under-21s. His fitness programme will also include work with the first-team and some individual work.
Black said: "He has agreed he needs to be in better condition and that is what I am trying to do, whether it's one small step, I don't know.
"I can't do the running and get involved in that. It will be up to Gabby. It's his responsibility.
"People might ask why I am doing it near the end of the season but, while I am in this position, I am going to treat it the way I'm going to treat it.
"So if they don't want to train properly, or be part of the group, or be ready to perform in training or in the games this is the only sanction I've got."
Villa will be relegated before they kick-off at Old Trafford on Saturday, if Norwich City avoid defeat against Sunderland.
