Stuart Pearce believes that Gabriel Agbonlahor has the potential and the pace to follow Theo Walcott into the England senior team, but the under-21 head coach has told the Aston Villa striker that there is room for improvement.

Agbonlahor scored the winning goal in England's 3-2 victory over Wales in the first leg of the European Under-21 Championship play-off on Friday and is scheduled to lead the line in this evening's return at his home ground, with the opportunity to book a place in next summer's finals in Sweden. Pearce is also convinced that the Birmingham-born forward will not go speeding off on holiday this time if England invite him to play in the under-21s' most prestigious event.

Pearce believes that the increased professionalism and continuity underpinning the England hierarchy will stave off the absenteeism that sent the under-21s into last year's finals in the Netherlands at a disadvantage. Despite missing Agbonlahor, David Bentley and Walcott, who had shoulder surgery, England reached the semi-finals.

“They are aware of the continuity that exists now,” Pearce said. “Maybe two years ago, with a part-time manager, it didn't exist, but it does now. They have a manager in their dressing-room that the following evening will be in the company of Fabio Capello.”

Of Agbonlahor, who turned 22 yesterday, Pearce said: “He gives us a cutting edge with his pace and power. He is a major threat at this level and in the Premier League, is one of the driving forces behind Aston Villa when they do well, him and Ashley Young. I think he is improving, but if you ask me if I think he could do better, then I do. His primary goal must be to win a game and score some goals for us and then to have a tilt at getting in the seniors on a regular basis.

“His pace is legendary, so I don't think he can improve that. But his sharpness around the box possibly, his goalscoring, his hold-up play can improve. From Gabby there is still more to come. Physically he is a very strong boy. I think there is senior football in him as well. If you look at Theo and see what his pace did for the seniors against Croatia and on Saturday [against Kazakhstan], Gabby has that same characteristic about him.”

England may recall Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton Wanderers anchorman, and Andrew Taylor, the Middlesbrough left-back, after suspension while Wales have claimed Sam Vokes, the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, from the seniors but sent Lewin Nyatanga back to the team who face Germany tomorrow. Only around 15,000 tickets had been sold yesterday for a game in which away goals will count double if the scores are level at 90 minutes.

England (possible; 4-3-3): J Hart — D Wheater, S Taylor, M Mancienne, A Taylor — M Noble, F Muamba, T Huddlestone — J Milner, G Agbonlahor, A Johnson.

Wales (possible; 4-4-2): O Fon Williams — N Eardley, D Blake, Mike Williams, R Wiggins — N Adams, J Collison, A Ramsey, S MacDonald — S Vokes, S Church.

Referee: B Blom (Netherlands).

Television: Live on Setanta Sports 1 from 7pm (kick-off 7.45pm).