Gabby gets the send-off he deserves

GABBY Agbonlahor was overwhelmed by the send-off he received from the Villa Park faithful.

Agbonlahor is still contracted to Villa until June but the final home match of the regular Championship season was selected as the best opportunity for him to wave goodbye.

Before the 1-1 draw with Derby last Saturday, the Brummie striker was presented with a long service award by under-23 coach Kevin MacDonald, who was Agbonlahor’s mentor as he came through the ranks.

Agbonlahor, a boyhood Villa fan, made his debut in 2005 and has been around the first-team scene for 13 years.

Now 31, he will leave the club this summer after boss Steve Bruce decided not to renew his deal. After the game he joined his team-mates for a lap of appreciation around Villa Park and seemed surprised when captain John Terry invited him to make a speech.

Throughout his career, the striker has been a man of few words, but he was able to deliver a brief, but emotional, message. WHAT AGBONLAHOR SAID

“Just want to say thank you to all the support and keep supporting the team like you’ve been doing all season. I think we’ve got a great bunch of lads here and hopefully they can achieve their goal. Thank you.”

Later, on Instagram, he wrote: “Overwhelmed by the support today. Thank you.” WHAT HIS TEAM-MATES SAID

John Terry: “This is the last chance for the supporters to say goodbye to Gabby, he’s been a great servant to the club.”

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy: “Legend. Role model.”

Jack Grealish: “My idol growing up... it has been a pleasure to train, play and learn off you brother! A legend in my eyes and I’m sure in every other Villa fan’s eyes. Thanks for the good times bro.” WHAT WE MADE OF IT ALL

Villa pitched Agbonlahor’s farewell just right. There was the correct level of respect from the stands for what he achieved during the early, exciting days of his career, but thankfully it was not over the top.

Presenting him with an award before the game was much more appropriate than trying to crowbar in a token cameo in a match between now and the closing stages of this season.

Agbonlahor has soured his legacy in recent seasons with patches of unprofessional behaviour and he was nervous about the reception he would receive. He needn’t have worried. On the whole, it was a warm show of appreciation for a player who provided some wonderful memories for this fanbase.