Has Gabriel Agbonlahor returned to form to try and save his boyhood club from the dreaded drop?
The 29-year-old returned from injury against Norwich City to play his 365th game for Aston Villa, as the Villans thumped the Canaries 2-0 at Villa Park with Agbonlahor getting on the score sheet, giving the home side a vital cushion to see out the win last weekend.
In recent seasons, the Erdington born Villa fan has not been at this best. He has been nowhere near the player that won the Premier League Player of the Month in November 2007 and the player that warranted England calls up in 2008 and 2009.
It is obvious his peak was during the three seasons between 2007 and 2010, where he averaged a Premier League goal every three games each season and picking up three England senior caps in the process. The 2012-13 season saw him return to that form netting nine goals in 28 league games. Since then and including this season he’s only found the net 11 times in 74 league appearances.
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Despite assisting a couple of Villa’s few goals this season, fans have pleaded with the club to let their captain go, and some sections of fans were delighted at reported interest in his signature from abroad this January.
But his performance against Norwich was nothing short than stellar, he did everything all Villa strikers have failed to do this season. He held the ball well, won the ball in the air, caused problems for the opposition defenders with his pace, and of course he found the net.
Considering he was not match fit, he played well and his effort was admirable. Over the years he has been called lazy, and many have wondered if he can be bothered at all. Against Norwich that was not the case. Perhaps knowing he was Villa’s only senior striking option inspired him to give everything left in his locker.
To say he was Villa’s only striking option was not hyperbolic, both Rudy Gestede and Libor Kozak were out injured last week, with Jordan Ayew suspended for his incredibly irresponsible and stupid actions in the West Ham United defeat.
If Agbonlahor can stay injury free and play like he did against Norwich, he can return to being a vital member of the Villa squad for the rest of the campaign.
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