Goal hero Gabby Agbonlahor bounces back for Aston Villa
Nov 30 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
Gabby Agbonlahor
MARTIN O’Neill saluted Villa goal-getter Gabby Agbonlahor for completing his transformation from zero to hero by banishing his Tottenham turmoil.
Agbonlahor opened the scoring with his eighth goal of the season – and seventh in the Premier League – in the 1-1 draw with Spurs.
It gave Agbonlahor closure after the Brummie’s substitution was cheered by some fans in the last match against Harry Redknapp’s men in March.
Agbonlahor’s lowest moment in claret and blue came during a goal drought which saw him score just once in 23 games in the second half of last season.
But O’Neill has been pleased with the way the academy graduate and boyhood Villa fan has bounced back from the criticism.
“Obviously there was disappointment at the time with the reaction he got,” recalled O’Neill.
“But overall I think he’s pretty well received by the crowd.
“We’ll have to see if any player in the next 50 years reaches John Carew’s status with the fans.”
Agbonlahor’s tenth-minute strike was a typical poacher’s goal with the 23-year-old reacting quickest in the box to bundle a tap-in over the line.
O’Neill likened Agbonlahor’s instinctive finish to those of the Premier League’s deadliest penalty box predators Jermain Defoe and Michael Owen. England’s World Cup hopeful also impressed his manager with his hold-up play, touch and all-round game in Saturday’s Villa Park draw.
And O’Neill has now challenged the young striker to score more close-range goals by developing his knack of being in the right place at the right time.
“I think it’s something he can do more of,” said O’Neill.
“He’s looking dangerous. His back-to-goal play now is getting better and better and I’m very pleased.
“But that sort of goal bundling over the line from two or three yards is a proper goalscorer’s goal.
“That’s something which is great and hopefully he can do a wee bit more of. That’s a goal that you would see the likes of Jermain Defoe or Michael Owen score or people like that, so it’s pleasing.’’
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