Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has launched a scathing attack on former manager Gerard Houllier and his assistant Gary McAllister.

The 24-year-old claims he may have left the club had the Frenchman remained at Villa Park as he made only 19 league appearances last season.

"I thought if this is how it is going to stay and the manager is going to stay here, with this formation, then I would have to leave. It hurt more as a Villa fan and local boy. Luckily the manager left and McAllister left as well," Agbonlahor told the Telegraph.

"It killed me a lot. It did not help me with England. The manager had his formations and he was not going to change that. Gerard was not much of a talker. It was more McAllister, but he was not very good to be honest. I did not really get on with him.

"I don't think a lot of the players were happy with the way he set up things. There was too much rotation. You look at who was left out. [Stephen] Warnock, [Stephen] Ireland and [Richard] Dunne. It was a crazy season."

Agbonlahor prefers life under Alex McLeish and believes the atmosphere around the club has changed since the arrival of the former Birmingham boss.

"It feels happier and more organised. Everyone is enjoying the training more and there is a better atmosphere around the place," he added.

Villa host Newcastle in their next game on Saturday.