Neil Warnock admits he 'couldn't afford' to complete Aston Villa transfer

Neil Warnock has admitted he tried to sign Aston Villa hero Gabby Agbonlahor - but the striker proved too costly.

Agbonlahor hung up his boots in 2018 after 13 years in Villa's first team and remains the club's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 74 goals in 322 top flight appearances. Agbonlahor also earned three caps for England during his peak years under Martin O'Neill.

The former goal-getter, now 35, has moved into punditry since retirement and can often be heard giving his opinions on the Premier League for radio station talkSPORT. Agbonlahor is a regular on talkSPORT's breakfast show alongside Alan Brazil and Laura Woods.

Former Sheffield United, QPR and Middlesbrough manager Warnock - whose career in the dugout spanned over 40 years - was a guest on the show on Thursday. Warnock was due to discuss Chelsea's Champions League defeat and Everton's dismal Premier League form, but he first divulged a failed attempt to land Agbonlahor.

As Warnock joined the talkSPORT conversation on Thursday morning, Agbonlahor said: "I feel like I need to call him Gaffer. I can't call him Neil, I'm going to call him Gaffer. I wish I (played under him)." Warnock, 73, replied: "I did try him once but I couldn't afford him!"

Warnock started the season as Middlesbrough manager before being replaced by Chris Wilder in November. Speaking shortly after his sacking, Warnock said: "I’m not bothered about going into it again.

"Listen, [getting sacked] was a surprise, but these things happen in football. I was always going to pack in at the end of the season anyway. The new director of football, when I met him he didn’t look me in the eye. I feared the worst then!

"The thing I’m really proud of is I’ve left them with a cracking