Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill ready to unleash John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor against Stoke
Mar 12 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
MARTIN O’Neill has told John Carew to repay Gabby Agbonlahor for carrying the Villa attack as he prepares to unleash both strikers at Stoke tomorrow.
Carew is expected to keep his place following his FA Cup hat-trick heroics at Reading, while Agbonlahor is also set to face the Potters after a stomach virus.
Join Mat Kendrick live online tomorrow for Stoke v Aston Villa live coverage and banter from the game. The action starts at 2.30pm - www.birminghammail.net/live
And O’Neill warned the big Norwegian that it will require one per cent inspiration, 99 per cent perspiration to share his strike partner’s scoring burden.
“He scored a hat-trick and was involved in all four goals which was great,” said O’Neill, who could also include Emile Heskey in his starting XI at the Britannia Stadium.
“It was great to see him get confidence from it. Confidence and application are vital ingredients.
“You can still apply yourself if you don’t have confidence, but I’m never sure which comes first. You really have to dig in hard and John and the team did exactly that.
“John had a great end to last year, came in and scored goals for us. It’s that consistent application, which is vitally important for any player.