Aston Villa boss gives under-fire Agbonlahor a private pep talk
Mar 20 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail
VILLA boss Martin O’Neill believes Gabby Agbonlahor needs a goal to get his season up and running again after giving the England striker a private pep-talk at training.
O’Neill delved deep into his powers of man-management to get the young forward feeling good about his game again after his spat with a section of the Villa crowd against Tottenham.
O’Neill could be ready to continue with the pacey front-man at Anfield, albeit in a wide position.
He said: “I just gave him a word or two of encouragement, because at the end of the day he’s young and he’s not hiding.
“Every game can’t be as splendid as some of the games that he has produced for us, but his overall contribution this season has been more than excellent.
“I think Gabby would be as keen as anyone just to add another goal or two and get a bit more confidence back.
“It sounds crazy to talk about a centre-forward who has done so great for us to be lacking in confidence when Saturday was the first time we dropped out of the top four for three months.
