Aston Villa legend admits January transfer decision 'ruined' season

Aston Villa legend Gabriel Agbonlahor has revealed how he dreaded the January transfer window as a player, recalling one particular chapter when he was put head-to-head with new signing Darren Bent. Agbonlahor made 341 league appearances for Villa, and aside from a couple of loans, he retired a one-club man.

But the former forward's place in the Villa starting XI was not only ensured, and especially not after the £24million signing of goalscorer Darren Bent in 2011. Bent went on to score 21 times in 61 league games for Villa, and while he and Agbonlahor are now friends, the latter has spoken about how Bent threatened his place in the team.

"I thought January was always a bit of an odd window because, especially Premier League teams, why are you going to sell players in January? You're short on players, you never sort of see January as a big month, maybe the odd signing but you are always paying over the odds in January," he told TalkSport.

"Players didn't discuss wages in the dressing room, you did wonder if it was a big signing but it was just a wonder. But I did remember when Benty [Darren Bent] signed, I think it was January when Benty signed. And I was like, 'oh no, he's signed a striker'.

"I wasn't nervous but because he was so much money, I think he was a record for the club, you know he is going to play. So when Benty came in, I moved to the left but then Emile Heskey would play a bit, then Ashley Young was asking to play in the No. 10 role so the little b- got the No. 10! Heskey was playing off the left, I was playing off the left, so the January signings sort of ruined the next half of the season for me, when Benty came in."