THE AG-ony to the ECK-stacy.

From inflicting pain on Alex McLeish, Gabby Agbonlahor is now bringing him joy. From being McLeish’s fiercest enemy, Agbonlahor is now his closest ally.

And from being a thorn in the ex-Blues boss’s side, the striker is now the star of his Villa side.

If you’re launching a PR charm offensive to win over a dubious Villa Park crowd, then who better to lead your campaign than Mr Aston Villa himself?

Agbonlahor is in the form of his life. Above and beyond scoring one and making two goals on Saturday, the Brummie was Villa’s heartbeat, leading by example and inspiring those around him.

Agbonlahor’s pulsating performance not only got his own claret and blue blood pumping, but it re-energised players and fans alike.

Suddenly, Charles N’Zogbia resembled a £9.5 million winger, wanting the ball, running at defenders and, get this, even winning a tackle to launch an attack!

Emile Heskey looked like a footballer, giving and going, keeping it simple and contributing to Villa’s forward forays from a role down the left much more suited to him than his recent central cameos.

Stiliyan Petrov seemed like a midfield general and captain marvel, continuing his own remarkable renaissance with driving runs from the middle, which proved there’s life in those old legs yet.

Darren Bent became the real Darren Bent again, profiting more than anybody from Agbonlahor’s assistance and bagging a brace after rediscovering the final touch that had recently been missing.

Chris Herd did a passable impression of an experienced Premier League anchor with his energy and efficiency giving McLeish confidence to continue with the 4-4-2 that clearly works for the players.

And so on and so forth...

But it was Agbonlahor who clinically clipped the Canaries’ wings, flying down Villa’s wings to terrorise newly-promoted Norwich.

Paul Lambert, keen to capitalise upon Villa’s recent defensive woes, changed his starting line-up for the first time in seven matches, partnering Grant Holt with Steve Morison up front.

It worked initially as the East Anglians burst out of the blocks and goalkeeper Shay Given was called into action three times within the first quarter-hour, saving from Anthony Pilkington, Elliott Bennett and Morison.

There was nothing Villa could have done to stop Pilkington’s perfect free-kick opener, curled sublimely into the top corner on 25 minutes – other than not conceding the foul of course, with an otherwise improved Alan Hutton tripping Holt on the edge of the area.

However, the hosts responded well to the set-piece setback and, rather appropriately on November 5, exploded into action when Agbonlahor lit the claret and blue touch paper. Kyle Naughton, Leon Barnett and Co are probably still spinning like Catherine wheels.