Why Agbonlahor ignored Pearce's calls and snubbed England U21s for Dubai pool party

The ex-forward was widely expected to compete in the European Under-21 Championship in 2007 after a breakthrough season at Villa Park.

A 20-year-old Agbonlahor played every game for O'Neill's side and netted ten goals for Villa during the 2006/07 campaign.

Naturally, then-England U21s boss Stuart Pearce wanted to select Agbonlahor for the tournament in the Netherlands that summer.

However, Pearce's calls went unanswered and unreturned. And true to his nickname, Psycho was furious.

Explaining Agbonlahor's absence, Pearce said: "I think he's been away on holiday and won't return the calls.

"I felt a bit disappointed but one person's loss in another one's gain.

"The more important thing from my point of view is the players who are desperate to be here. And last week, at the training camp, certainly showed their determination to be part of the squad."

It's true, Agbonlahor was on holiday - and enjoying himself, too.

As his conspicuous absence was splashed all over the UK's back pages, he was partying by a pool in Dubai.

However, the talkSPORT pundit insists it was all one big misunderstanding - and blames then Villa boss O'Neill.

Looking back on the incident, he told the Breakfast show: "It was a misunderstanding.

"I played every game for Aston Villa in my first season and O'Neill wanted me to rest over the summer and enjoy my summer off.

"He forgot to tell Pearce. So they've all attended the start of the tournament at the training camp and I'm not there - because I'm in Dubai.

"I'm at the pool party on the beach in Dubai and Pearce is fuming. But it was a misunderstanding from the gaffer not telling him.

"It was all over Sky Sports News, breaking news everywhere: 'Gabby's gone AWOL'.

"O'Neill's to blame. I would never turn my back on England."

In fairness, the Northern Irishman did eventually take the blame for Agbonlahor's holiday.

Speaking at the time, O'Neill said: "I felt Gabby would benefit from a slightly longer break, but perhaps I didn't communicate this correctly to Stuart.

"I spoke to Stuart a couple of weeks ago to say to him that Gabby has had a long season with hardly a moment's rest in the Premier League and that he may need a little while longer to recover from illness and niggling injury.

"I am genuinely sorry about any mix-up and I know Gabby was keen to be in the squad."