Gerrard sack: ‘He just done kick ups’ – Agbonlahor takes weird swipe at Gary McAllister

Gabby Agbonlahor has clearly not been impressed by Gary McAllister’s role at Aston Villa, accusing the assistant manager of “just doing kick ups”.

Steven Gerrard was sacked by Villa in awkward circumstances on Thursday after their 2-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Liverpool legend insisted he was a “fighter” in his post-match interview before being relieved of his duties around 90 minutes later, and then had to endure the team coach ride home with the players which were no longer his.

And Agbonlahor, Villa’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, said that although he was desperate for Gerrard to be a success at Villa Park, he concedes that the owners were left with little option but to show him the door after a “shambles” of a performance.

“We played against Steven Gerrard so I really wanted it to work because of the player he was and the respect I had for him,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.

“But every game that goes on you think how much more can you take? How much more can you back him?

“I think it was the right call. Villa fans were fed up with it but they put up a spirited performance against Chelsea so you think let’s give him Fulham.

“That performance tonight, they weren’t first to any balls, they weren’t pressing as a team. It was a shambles.”

But Agbonlahor was less than complimentary about Gerrard’s assistant Gary McAllister, urging his former club not to “bring him back ever again” after he failed in his first spell under Gerard Houllier and in the last few months “he just done kick ups”.

Agbonlahor tweeted: ‘Gary maccalister by the way! This guy done nothing when he was at villa under houllier! The cheek to come back! He just done kick ups and wanted to join in games Don’t bring him back ever again.’

Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino are thought to be high on Villa’s wishlist but they are also ‘considering’ Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who may be a more viable apppointment.