Gabby Agbonlahor still believes in old guard

Gabby Agbonlahor today refused to rule out wholesale changes at Villa in the summer but believes the club's old guard still have a part to play.

After a season of underachievement, there have been calls for a clear-out of players, many of whom were originally signed by former manager Martin O'Neill but have struggled to reach the required level in the past two campaigns.

Inevitably, some of those subjected to criticism are the wrong side of 30, but Agbonlahor believes that experienced players could be written off too soon.

He said: "Will there be changes in the summer? It is hard for me to say. It's a choice for the manager and the coaching staff.

"All I have got to do is concentrate on my own game and we will see what happens after that.

"But I think it is easy when you are not getting the results for people to say 'you are old' or that 'you are not doing it' and this and that.

"I think a lot of teams go through a blip and, as long as you come back fighting, that is the main thing.

"People talk about the 'old guard' but most of the top teams have experienced players. You look at Manchester United with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and they are still doing it."