Gabby Agbonlahor labelled Harry Kane as a ‘ghost’ after his beloved Aston Villa beat Bayern Munich in what was a dream night.
Substitute hero John Duran lobbed Manuel Neuer with 79 minutes on the clock to seal a magical Champions League win for Villa.
Duran came off the bench to score Villa’s incredible winner over BayernGetty
Unai Emery’s men were fully deserving of the three points in the second round of fixtures in the league stage, with many of Bayern’s stars unable to showcase their talent.
One of those was Kane, whose ten strikes in seven appearances prior to Wednesday night also included four goals against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League last time out.
The England captain was far from his best, so much so that Villa cult hero and talkSPORT co-host Agbonlahor joked about his performance afterwards.
He excitedly called Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara on The Sports Bar shortly after the final whistle at Villa Park to revel in their victory.
“The tactics of Unai Emery, that’s not his style,” he said. “But that’s what your coaches that have done well in European competitions before [do], let’s sit back, let’s frustrate Bayern Munich.
“Second-half, we opened up a little bit and we win 1-0. You know, don’t be open like Celtic were last night and they get pumped 7-1 [by Borussia Dortmund], that’s what it’s about, isn’t it?
“At this level, don’t play into Bayern Munich’s hands, frustrate them like we did.
“Harry Kane was a ghost, it was Harry Kane from the Euros, because of our tactics against them.”
Agbonlahor was referring to Kane’s performances throughout Euro 2024 for England as the Three Lions fell to defeat in the final against Spain.
The 31-year-old scored three goals throughout the tournament, the joint-highest tally with five other players, but many fans believed he could’ve scored more as England struggled in the groups.
Agbonlahor quickly called into The Sports Bar in delight after the win
He claimed that Kane was a ‘ghost’ on the pitch at Villa ParkGetty
Agbonlahor believes he played like he did for England at Euro 2024Getty
Kane has been in strong form for Bayern at the beginning of this season, but his blank at Villa came just days after he also failed to score against Bayer Leverkusen.
After revealing his thoughts on the legendary striker, Agbonlahor took the opportunity to praise Emery’s impact at Villa.
Cundy reminded him of how the Spaniard has transformed their fortunes in less than two years since his appointment, taking them from a Premier League relegation battle to the Champions League.
“This is what the owners wanted though,” Agbonlahor explained.
“It wasn’t working under [Steven] Gerrard, they said, ‘We’re going to go and pay compensation to Villarreal. Whatever it takes, three, four, £5million.’
“And he’s come in here, no messing around no more. This club has got pedigree in Europe, winning the Champions League in 1982, that’s where these owners want to be.
“We’re not here to just compete and, ‘Let’s have a little go and see how we do,’ we’re here to get as far as we can.
“And that today by the way, the last 41 Champions League games Bayern Munich have played in the group stage, 37 wins, four draws.
“Unai Emery comes along, 1-0 win. What does that say about this guy, this manager? We’re so lucky to have him.”
Villa’s win against Bayern has followed their 3-0 victory against Young Boys to send them sixth in the Champions League standings.
They currently sit above European giants that include Barcelona, AC Milan and Bayern, as well as the record 15-time winners Real Madrid.
Emery was unsurprisingly given immense praise as his success at Villa continuesGetty
Bologna, Club Brugge, Juventus, RB Leipzig, Monaco and Celtic will come as other dangerous opposition for them in the league phase.
However, after nights like Wednesday, Villa and Agbonlahor will fully believe that anything is possible as they eye a spot in the last 16.
