Gabby Agbonlahor claims Aston Villa are stronger than trophy-winning West Ham United side

Gabby Agbonlahor has put down the West Ham side that won the Europa Conference League last season.

Speaking on the talkSPORT Breakfast Show on 24 August, the pundit claimed Aston Villa could follow in the Hammers' footsteps by winning the European trophy this season.

He believes Villa have had a better team than the Irons over the course of the past two campaigns, providing them with a chance to claim silverware under Unai Emery.

"I feel that there's a big chance Aston Villa this season can win the Europa Conference League," said Agbonlahor.

"West Ham showed how to do it last season and I think Aston Villa have got a better team last season and this season than West Ham."

Won nothing

With the way Agbonlahor is talking, you would think Villa have been qualifying for European football season after season over the past few years.

But the reality is, they just scraped seventh place in the Premier League on the final day to ensure their place in the playoff rounds of the Europa Conference League.

While it was an excellent achievement by Emery's side after he helped turn the club's fortunes around last season, it's the first time they will be playing in Europe for 13 years and they haven't won anything during that time.

If you compare that to this group of West Ham players, they have qualified for Europe for the third successive season and actually won the trophy Villa are competing to get into.

It's important to note that the same group of players also took four points off the Midlands club when they faced each other during the last campaign.

The Villans have, however, added well to their squad this summer with a few big-name signings and are in a strong position to challenge in Europe this season.

In other West Ham news, an update has emerged in the club’s pursuit of an international defender.