Ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Abgonlahor left red-faced after Arsenal celebrations comments

Villa old boy concedes his views were based on ‘jealousy’
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Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor was made a mockery of by fellow talkSPORT pundit Laura Woods after he had criticised Arsenal for ‘overdoing’ their celebrations following the Gunners’ 1-0 victory at Villa Park on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s Champions League-chasers celebrated enthusiastically at full-time after cementing their place in the top four of the Premier League thanks to Bukayo Saka’s first half goal.

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However, Brummie Agbonlahor was unimpressed and said: “The way they celebrated at the end of the game, it was like they’d won the Champions League, not qualified for it.

“I know it was a great result but the scenes and the players…we were right behind the fans.

“It was like they’d won the league, not beaten Aston Villa – a team they should be beating. I think they overdid the celebrations.”

Gabby AgbonlahorGabby Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor

However, in the aftermath of Agbonlahor’s comments, Woods was quick to take the three–cap ex-England man to task.

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She said: “Nobody would have given Arsenal a shot at the top four – everybody was writing them off at the start of the season.

“It’s a club and fanbase which has been largely divided for four or five years since they dropped out of the Champions League, but now it’s a unified club.

“If you’re not allowed to celebrate goals and wins – or celebrate goals in big games that you might lose – then what’s the point of going to football matches?

“Shall we wait until the end of a 38-game season before anyone is allowed to celebrate anything?”

Presenter Laura Woods forced Agbonlahor to concede his comments were misguided. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.Presenter Laura Woods forced Agbonlahor to concede his comments were misguided. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.
Presenter Laura Woods forced Agbonlahor to concede his comments were misguided. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.

How was Agbonlahor mocked?

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Woods then continued her argument by playing a clip of Agbonlahor himself hailing Villa boss Steven Gerrard for his enthusiastic celebrations after leading Villa to victory in his first game in charge against Brighton.

Woods said: “Don’t listen to me Gabby Agbonlahor….listen to your own argument.”

Reacting to the win against the Seagulls, Agbonlahor had said: “It was just the passion from Gerrard (that had impressed him). On the sidelines the whole game… interacting with the fans during the game.

“His celebration for the goal was like they’d won the cup final. That’s what fans want to see.”

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A smiling Woods concluded: “Well done Gabby Agbonlahor for undoing your own argument before you’d even made it.”

What has Agbonlahor had to say in response?

The 35-year-old has, however, admitted he was made to look a little silly and today took to the airwaves to confess to his own goal, saying: “I think it was a bit of jealousy from me, so I take that comment back and apologise to Arsenal fans.

“Their celebrations were fine and I am sure Arsenal will get that top four position.”

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