Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor announces retirement from football

The 32-year-old has been without a club since ending a 17-year association with Villa last summer. And he has now confirmed there will be no return.

Agbonlahor said: “I haven’t made a big deal about it, by posting anything on social media. But no, that is me done.”

Villa’s top scorer in the Premier League with 75 goals, Agbonlahor earned three England caps after making a promising start to his professional career.

But his influence waned dramatically in his final years at the club, while his relationship with clubs soured during Villa’s relegation from the top flight in 2016.

Agbonlahor was forced to relinquish the club captaincy after being pictured out partying on the night the club’s demotion was confirmed.

He remains a Villa fan and believes they stand a good chance of winning promotion this season, under Dean Smith.

He said: “The way they are playing at the moment,they are flying and I think if you asked every Villa fan they’re buzzing at the moment about the team and their chances of promotion.

“The way they are playing they should not be scared of anyone. The whole team’s playing with confidence and everything’s exciting.

“I think personally think we have a squad capable of going up and there is no reason why not.

“It will be tough because there are a lot of teams fighting for the play-offs but there is no reason why they can’t.”