Martin O'Neill: Agbonlahor 'just getting better all the time'

Jan 14 2008 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

VILLA manager Martin O'Neill cannot hide his delight at the giant strides made by Gabby Agbonlahor this season, insisting the England wannabe is making a mockery of 'second-season syndrome'.

Villa's seven-goal leading marksman may not have added to his tally against Reading, but he was always a huge threat.

"Gabby did great last season and there would have been concerns about second-season syndrome - not a bit of it,'' said O'Neill.

"Gabby was absolutely brilliant. Really great and I am delighted for him.

"He is a player, I think we would all agree, who has improved beyond all recognition in 16 or 18 months. And he is improving, and he is trying to get better.

"And I will tell you what I like about him - he is trying to get hold of the ball, trying to get his body in the way. He is prepared to get kicked. He is a professional footballer."

Strike partner John Carew scored his first brace for Villa, taking his tally for the season to six.

O'Neill said: "It was a great effort by him. We have missed him for a lot of games this season, when he has been there he has been more than a handful.

"He is a very fine player indeed, and we are delighted to have him. I am delighted he got his second goal. I am very pleased. He is much fitter than he was this time last week, that's great. And he nearly completed 90 minutes for us!

"Both he and Gabby did excellently. The team was terrific."