Gabby Agbonlahor blasts former boss

Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has revealed that playing under former manager Gerard Houllier almost "killed" him and made him considered quitting the club.

The 24-year-old endured a difficult season under Houllier and struggled to adapt to the Frenchman's coaching methods, finding himself in and out of the starting line-up.

Houllier was forced to leave Villa in the summer because of health problems and Agbonlahor has been much happier since new boss Alex McLeish took over.

When Agbonlahor was in the side last season, Houllier primarily used him out wide, much to the frustration of the three-cap England international.

He said: "At one stage I did think about leaving. I thought if this is how it is going to stay and the manager is going to stay here, with this formation, then I would have to leave.

"It hurt more as a Villa fan and local boy. It killed me. The manager had his formations and he was not going to change that. Gerard was not much of a talker.

"It was more Gary McAllister, but he was not very good to be honest. I did not really get on with him.

"Luckily, the manager left and Gary McAllister left as well."