Beefed-up Agbonlahor ready to take on the bullies

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor warned Wednesday that he can no longer be bullied by the likes of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand after a summer programme of weight training.

The England forward, who bulked up after deciding he was too lightweight to take on the Premier League’s top defenders, insists his new appearance will not hamper his lightning pace.

“I did a lot of work during the summer, a fair bit of weight training to improve my physique,” Agbonlahor said.

“I thought about it last season. I want to be able to hold my own physically against the likes of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

“There was no particular game where I thought ‘I need to do this’. I just thought there was no harm in getting a bit bigger and a bit stronger. It always helps.

“I just don’t want to get bullied up front and I don’t want to get easily pushed off the ball by these experienced defenders.

“Lads like John Carew and Emile Heskey can look after themselves on the pitch. I wanted to be like that too.”

Agbonlahor added: “It’s obviously important I don’t lose my speed in the process. It’s a balancing act but I think I’ve got it spot on, so I’m happy.

“The gaffer wants me to stop now because he doesn’t want me to lose that speed up front. I’m sure it’s still there.

“The work definitely hasn’t affected me. I needed to stop at a certain limit and I’ve done that now.

“I’m never going to be as big and strong as John and Emile but it’s good to not get pushed off the ball. That’s so important as a striker. It can only help.

“In the past few games, the manager has played me up on my own and my new physique has definitely helped.”