Three Villa players who should feature for England next season

A few years ago, when you looked at our squad and compared it with the English national team, you would see Aston Villa players lining up as a front three for England in the form of Young, Bent and Downing.

Now, when you look at our current squad, all be it a very young and inexperienced squad, you will not see a single player in the current national squad.

In my opinion, there are three Villa players who could easily break into the England squad if they continue to perform like they did from January onwards last season. The players who spring to mind are Agbonlahor, Westwood and Lowton.

Gabby is no stranger when it comes to pulling on an England shirt, having been called up to the national side on 3 occasions as well as appearing 16 times for the U-21 side.

The reason I feel that Agbonlahor warrants a call up is due to his goal scoring consistency, something that the England squad have been crying out for in recent years. Aged 26 now, he has plenty of experience in the Premier League, scoring over 50 goals at the highest level.

When players such as Danny Welbeck get the nod ahead of Gabby, it really makes my blood boil and proves that Hodgson is looking at the club before the player. Welbeck has scored a remarkable total of 2 goals in 39 appearances whereas Agbonlahor has scored 12 goals in 33 appearances; I just can’t see the logic in this decision. This is not to mention that Welbeck has the likes of Kagawa and Rooney supplying him and Villa have Stephen Ireland in the hole.

Although Gabby has adapted to a new position on the wing, in recent years he has still proven that he can score plenty of goals from here and this is something that makes him stand out from any other English winger or striker. In my view, the current England wingers are very wasteful and by this I mean Chamberlain and Walcott.

Not only does Agbonlahor have the pace of both Chamberlain and Walcott, he is a much better finisher than both of these players, which is why I feel that Roy should reunite him with the national squad to see what he can do.

Next up on my list is Matthew Lowton. There are a number of reasons as to why I feel Lowton could warrant a place in the England squad next season and it’s not just because of his wonder goals against both Stoke and Swansea (although these goals are an added bonus).

Lowton is one of the best crossers of the ball that I have seen in the Premier League from right back and his ability to bomb forward down the right flank is something that he would thrive off if he were to play for England.

In my opinion, the current England right backs are overrated, both Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker. They are good going forward but defensively they are atrocious and Matthew Lowton has both the balance of attacking well and covering defensively.

When I say that Lowton is as strong defensively as he is going forward, the facts speak for themselves. His wonder goals against Stoke and Swansea were by no means lucky and the 24 year old came second highest in terms of most interceptions (112) in the league last season.

Out of these interceptions, 12 came against Liverpool in the 2-1 defeat at Villa Park; no player made more interceptions in a single match in Europe’s top 5 leagues in the 12-13 campaign. This proves just how solid a right back Lowton really is.

To sum up my appeal for Roy to call up Lowton, he is young, hungry and a consistent performer at right back. Glen Johnson is past it and has been for a few years now – and he is getting older. At the age of 28 (turning 29 in two weeks), it’s time for a fresh start and time for Roy to give Lowton a chance.

The last player who I feel could play himself into Roy’s squad is a rather ambitious shout. This player is Ashley Westwood. A lot of football fans who aren’t Villa supporters would laugh at me if I were to say to them that Westwood should be in the England squad as only Villa fans know what a good player he really is.

The way I see it, if Michael Carrick can manage to make the England squad game after game then why not Westwood? Both players have adapted a very similar style of play and Westwood is growing stronger with every game he plays.

With players like Shelvey, Henderson and Livermore all receiving call ups last season, on that basis Westwood should be given a chance to show what he’s made of. All three of these players are very wasteful in my opinion and if you take the clubs away from the players then they would not have a chance of making the England squad.

What you see is what you get with Westwood: he does not give away possession cheaply and often plays the simple pass, with the occasional wonder pass. The 23 year old managed some astonishing pass completion rates last season including a whopping 96% against QPR and 94% against Manchester United, who, believe me, do not give you time on the ball to pick out a pass.

Open up your eyes, Roy, and look at players from outside the big 6. Agbonlahor, Lowton and Westwood all have the ability to wear the three Lions shirt; you just can’t see it yet!

Do you feel that any of our players deserve a call up to the England squad? Have your say and comment below.