Gabriel Agbonlahor put on strict six-week fitness regime at Aston Villa

The 30-year-old, Villa's longest-serving player, has not featured for the club this season but has been offered the chance of a fresh start by new manager Steve Bruce.

Agbonlahor returned to training with the first-team squad during the past week and has now begun a strict fitness regime designed to boost his fitness.

"Gabby has dipped in and out with us," explained Bruce. "He's on a programme at the moment and is now one week into six weeks. He is listening and he wants to succeed again."

Agbonlahor's fitness was brought into sharp focus during the final weeks of last season, when he was deemed unfit for first-team action by then caretaker boss Eric Black. He then resigned the club captaincy in disgrace, having been pictured out partying in London on the night Villa's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.

The striker refused a loan move away during the summer despite being told he was not part of boss Roberto Di Matteo's plans.

Yet Bruce, who replaced the Italian in the hotseat earlier this month, is prepared to give him another chance and claimed Agbonlahor has been receptive to the offer.

"This week he has been terrific with everything we have put to him," said Bruce. "He's worked extremely hard. He understands that he has to get himself in better condition.

"I'm not interested in the past, it's a slate wiped clean with Gabby and everyone else.

"This week he has responded to everything we have asked him and he's been no problem."

Villa are meanwhile assessing the fitness of wideman Albert Adomah ahead of tomorrow's game with Fulham, after the winger took a kick on the ankle during Tuesday's 2-1 win at Reading. Skipper Tommy Elphick (calf) and Micah Richards (knee) are both definitely out.