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Gabby Agbonlahor returned to full training on Monday following three months on the sidelines with a calf injury.

The striker hasn’t played for Aston Villa since the bore draw with Brentford at the beginning of September, but manager Steve Bruce is now hopeful he will return and lighten the load on rookie Keinan Davis over the Christmas period.

Villa are already without star striker Jonathan Kodjia, who could be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign following ankle surgery, while Scott Hogan (stomach) and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (knee) have also been nursing problems in recent weeks.

Davis, 19, has shone as Villa’s lone frontman since coming into the starting XI in late August but Bruce is still keen to sign a player of similar ilk in January to ease some of the pressure which has been placed on the former Biggleswade Town striker’s slender shoulders.

And Agbonlahor’s return certainly offers Bruce food for thought.

How the season started

It took Agbonlahor eight months and 13 games to bag his first goal last season, he managed it in six minutes this time around by sweeping home in Villa’s opener against Hull City.

The striker had enjoyed his best pre-season in a number of years and looked fit with a burst of pace that he hadn’t displayed for many a season.

Bruce handed the 31-year-old starts in Villa’s first two Championship matches of the season before dropping him after the claret and blues’ abysmal showing at Cardiff City.

A 20-minute cameo against Brentford was followed by a three-month injury lay-off. In his absence Villa have marched up the table with nine wins in 14 Championship fixtures.

How his role has evolved

Agbonlahor was viewed as the most physically imposing of Villa’s strikers by the coaching staff in the summer but that is no longer the case.

While Bruce wants a competitor for Davis, the shirt is very much the youngster’s to lose and Agbonlahor is now firmly behind him in the pecking order.

As was the case last season, Agbonlahor will most likely be limited to appearances off Villa’s bench between now and the end of the campaign.

What does the future hold?

Agbonlahor’s contract at Villa Park expires in the summer which means he is effectively playing for his footballing future over the next six months.

He’ll be free to speak to other clubs as soon as the January transfer window opens and a pre-contract agreement can be signed.

It is believed Agbonlahor’s preference would be to stay with the club he has supported since childhood, but that decision isn’t entirely in his hands.

A lot may depend on what league Villa are in with the club’s Premier League pursuit expected to go to the wire.

As things stand, Villa have no plans to enter contract negotiations with the forward which probably explains why Agbonlahor has wisely laid out plans for life after football.

Agbonlahor is developing business interests and has set foot on the coaching ladder in recent years to ensure he has plenty of options sitting invitingly at his table.

What has been said?

Discussing Agbonlahor’s contract situation in the summer, Villa’s chief executive Keith Wyness told reporters the forward’s Villa Park future is ‘in his own hands’.

“Gabby is into his last year of a contract for the first time in a while.

“He did work hard when Steve Bruce came in to get himself fit. He’s been unfortunate with a couple of injuries since then. But he’s got to work for it. For anything to happen it’s down to him. ”

The view from the stands

Should Agbonlahor be offered a new deal? We put the question to Villa supporters yesterday…

Dean Woodhams: “Pay as you play deal I don’t have an issue with. He is hardly going to be inundated with offers so if he ever gets fit he may be OK off the bench."

Barry Fitzachary: “Yes. Explanation: loyalty works both ways. He's never been a world beater but always been a Villan. He has two years left tops (possibly) - let him see it out. Good lad for young lads to bounce off, he helps them integrate, more than just a player, sometimes folks don't see it.”

Geoff Dillon: “We don’t owe Gabby anything, so unless he's contributing to the team I say no. He’s done what he was paid to do."

poll loading Should Aston Villa give Gabby Agbonlahor a new contract? 8000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes No

James Hill: “Deserves the chance to overcome his current injury and work with the team this season. If he can break into the match day squad and make an impact then keep him. If he doesn't make a first team appearance this season then we (have) got to let him go. (It will) be a sad day though. He's a club legend.”

Dean Stanbury: “Absolutely not. I'm not one of the haters, I was a big fan. Disappointed when he turned up out of shape in our relegation season, but happy to give him a second chance. However, he simply hasn't done enough in the past 2-3 years to deserve a new deal.”

Phil Gautrey: “No, but only for football reasons, not too interested in his recent mistakes. He was a decent player at one time.”

Kris Dudley: “Not for me. (The) club needs to move forward with new players. He's been a good servant but his best days are way behind him.”