Aston Villa hopeful over Gabriel Agbonlahor's fitness

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish remains hopeful that Gabriel Agbonlahor will be fit to face Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

The striker has been unable to train because of a hamstring injury that forced him to withdraw from the England squad last week.

However, McLeish believes that his centre-forward could be back in training by the weekend.

"Gabby has not joined the group yet but we are hopeful he will be back towards the end of the week," said the boss.

"I think he has got a chance for Tottenham. He has got a slight strain which guys like Gabby, with their explosive pace, can pick up.

"Gabby went to England in good faith and unfortunately came back with this little nick on his hamstring. It was the England medical guys who flagged it up for us."

Agbonlahor has scored five goals this season.