Gabby keeps Pearce's young Lions roaring

Agbonlahor may wonder about the wisdom of his choice by the end of today, especially if Russia win in Israel and the Scots beat Italy.

But at his current rate of development, and with a worrying lack of homegrown striking options, Aston Villa's 21-year- old could soon be ready for a taste of senior international football.

Last night in Milton Keynes, Agbonlahor struck with a deft header, four minutes before half time, to maintain England's 100 per cent record for the 2009 European Championship after five qualifiers.

It was his second goal of the campaign — he has five for Villa this season — and memories of his disappearance on the eve of last summer's Championship in Holland are fading fast. The only halt to his rapid rise may be a knee injury that forced him off in the second half.

With an unbeaten run stretching back more than two years — overlooking a penalty shoot-out defeat to Holland in the European Championship last summer — confidence was not an issue ahead of the game at a sold-out stadium:mk.

Injuries forced changes upon coach Stuart Pearce, who spoke this week in support of a quota system being introduced to give more English talent exposure to Premier League football.

All but one of his starting eleven came from clubs in the top flight but few are regular first-teamers.

Theo Walcott's name drew the loudest cheer from the crowd and he lifted the decibel level early in the game, with a couple of electric bursts of pace down the right wing.

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is another who has impressed in the League and he was called quickly into action, dropping sharply to his right to block a low shot from Valeri Domovchiyski. Hart was flying through the air again in the 21st minute but was relieved to see a 25 yarder from Lyubomir Bozhinov whistle narrowly wide.

Pearce's team found the brisk Bulgarian interplay tricky to contain at times. But their neat passing let them down just before the break when they surrendered possession to Tom Huddlestone in midfield. Huddlestone traded passes with Matt Derbyshire before sweeping play left to James Milner, who checked inside the full back on to his right foot picked out Agbonlahor to score.

There were echoes of his winner in the Birmingham derby as Agbonlahor drifted towards the near post and glanced his header into the corner of the net.

England almost allowed the visitors to level immediately, however, when a low cross from Domovchiyski was deflected past Hart. It was trickling towards goal but Leicester left back Joe Mattock adjusted well to stick out a leg and halt its progress on the line before it was scrambled clear.

Domovchiyski escaped again before half time, clean through on goal but inexplicably kicked fresh air instead of the ball.

Walcott continued to threaten on the right but his finishing let him down as he missed a trio of chances to extend the lead after the break.

First he miscued a free header from Agbonlahor's right wing cross, seconds after the restart, then was denied by keeper Nikolay Mihaylov after good play by Milner.

His third chance may have been the simplest, with time to line up a strike from 12 yards with his right foot, but again he hurried through his technique and his effort deflected wide.

But the Arsenal winger kept going and won a penalty eight minutes from time when the keeper hauled him down. Milner put it away to wrap up the victory.