Gabriel Agbonlahor officially announced his retirement from football on Wednesday of this week, after leaving Aston Villa in the summer. 

The striker-turned-winger was released at the end of his contract at the end of last season after a poor couple of seasons where he failed to get into the team and make a difference at all.

It was certainly the right decision to let him go, but it is surprising a League One or Two club didn’t pick him up on a free.

The departure ended an 18-year period with Villa, so Agbonlahor has to go down as a modern day legend. 

Sadly, he has to fall into the category of a player that peaked too early and was pretty poor when he lost his pace. 

In his prime, though, Agbonlahor was a horrible player to mark and defend against.

He was fast, skilful and had an eye for goal. 

With over 400 league appearances, a few England caps, and becoming Aston Villa’s leading Premier League goalscorer, Agbonlahor certainly had a career that deserves high recognition at Villa Park. 

He may get some abuse from fans for his deterioration in recent years, but all in all, he should be remembered fondly.

Villa could do with a player like prime Agbonlahor now, as they chase the top six.

The chase goes on, but for now, Villa fans should remember Agbonlahor as one of the greats of the recent era.