Agbonlahor: Villa must keep faith with youngsters

Agbonlahor has successfully come through Villa's youth system along with the likes of Gardner, Steven Davis, Isaiah Osbourne, Liam Ridgewell and Gary Cahill.

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O'Neill will have the support of owner Randy Lerner to bring in fresh blood, with Liverpool's Craig Bellamy and Tottenham duo Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane all linked with the midlands club.

But England Under 21 star Agbonlahor believes supporters identify most strongly with players who have developed through the Villa ranks and that it is an important link to maintain.

He said: "It is definitely important we retain that element in the side. You see most clubs these days have a few homegrown players like Liverpool and Manchester United.

"It is important that we have an identity with our supporters and it's good for young lads that are playing in the youth team now to see three or four players have come through the system.

"It inspired me when I was coming through the ranks to see Darius Vassell, Lee Hendrie and Jlloyd Samuel in the first team. It gave you hope you would be there one day.

"There are six homegrown products in the first team squad now and there are a lot more to come from the youth team."

Agbonlahor insists his batteries are recharged for the final part of the season - his first full one of senior football.

He said: "I am feeling quite fresh. Maybe five or six games ago I was tired but I have been given time off and I am all right. I was really tired.

"But I wouldn't swap what has happened to myself this season for anything and it has been a great learning curve."

O'Neill assures McCann of Villa future

Meanwhile O'Neill has told midfielder Gavin McCann he has a future at the club despite losing his first-team place to Gardner.

McCann was not even named among the substitutes for last weekend's goalless draw with Portsmouth which prompted speculation that he had become surplus to requirements.

But O'Neill has indicated he wants the 29-year-old, who has one year left of his current contract, to remain at Villa Park.

He said: "I have not 'warned' Gavin McCann at all about his future. That is nothing to do with it.

"It is all about the idea of playing for places next season and so I have really been sending out a positive message to the players and not a negative one.

"I want all the boys currently out of the side to fight their way into the side and, if things work out alright, then they will stay in there.

"For me, Gavin has one year left on his contract, and it is entirely up to him what he chooses to do.

"But, if it were up to me, I would want him to be a part of this football club for the future.

"I want competition for places. I can't imagine that Gavin is happy at the moment. He is not that type of person anyway.

"The type of rotation that goes on at clubs nowadays would not be for him. He wouldn't relish that. Gavin would want to play every week.

"That is what I want from the players currently out of the side, and what I am hoping for."

O'Neill added: "What I would say about Gavin, is that for the first three or four months of this season, he was terrific. It has been a long season for everyone and he has been 'on the go' for all of it.

"The rest of it is up to Gavin and to all those players out of the team. I want them all to come roaring back. I would suggest this is the first time that Gavin has been left out when he is fit."