Gabby Agbonlahor has undergone something of a striking renaissance over the course of the last three league games.
The speedy striker has netted on his last two appearances including scoring the winner against Blues on Sunday and he now appears to have left last season’s woes well and truly behind him.
For the want of a better phrase, Agbonlahor could not hit barn door with a banjo towards the end of the last campaign, as he missed a series of sitters against the likes of Stoke and Man City.
He suffered a complete crisis of confidence and after installing himself as a fans’ favourite when Villa were flying high, the young star endured some blatant jeering when substituted against Spurs in March.
His consistently lethargic performances towards the back end of the season were so surprising simply because of the obvious ability he had shown until the start of February.
Tiredness was clearly an issue as Villa had begun their European endeavours way back in mid-July but a lack of fitness could not be the only reason for Agbonlahor’s startling fall from grace.
Many blamed the presence of Emile Heskey for his strike partner’s demise. In truth Martin O’Neill’s decision to revert to 4-4-2 in order to accommodate his new acquisition paid few dividends.
Partnership
The performances of one man cannot really be blamed on another and it seemed obvious that it was the system at fault and not necessarily Heskey himself.
O’Neill persisted with the formation until the end of the campaign after being encouraged by what he had seen from his strike partnership in wins at Portsmouth and Blackburn.
But, with a shocking record of just two wins in 16 games it was clear that the Villa boss needed to alter his thinking and return to the successful 4-5-1 system which saw his side become one of the most feared travellers in the division.
Agbonlahor too needed a change. He was beginning to lack enthusiasm and his finishing was nothing short of embarrassing. The speedy striker simply could not score for love nor money and it was hoped that after a summer break he would come back refreshed.
Unfortunately for Villa, though, he was named in the England under-21 squad for the European Championships in Sweden.
Stuart Pearce’s men eventually reached the final, but Agbonlahor failed to net along the way. Supporters were left asking whether he had already suffered the dreaded burn-out.
After Villa lost in disappointing fashion to Wigan on the opening day of this, the new campaign, it seemed that the fears of the Claret and Blue faithful had been realised.
Burden
But, after O’Neill changed back to his much lauded 4-5-1 system against Liverpool, the rapid hit man got back to his best.
His goalscoring touch came back with a vengeance as he walloped a 20 yard strike past Mark Schwarzer to help see off Fulham and then used his head to good effect at St Andrews as Villa claimed a late derby day victory.
It now seems that one of the club’s young stars is shining brightly once again and he is clearly relishing being the focal point of a lightning quick attack at Villa Park.
He may need the odd bit of assistance from time to time and so it proved against the Blues as John Carew came on to tee up the winning goal on Sunday but all in all it seems Agbonlahor loves shouldering the striking burden.
It is a large emphasis to place on such young shoulders but the England front man is clearly ready for the challenge and as he recently said - he has been baulking up for the battles ahead.
The experience of the last campaign should stand him in good stead for the one ahead and he may even be looking to break the 15 goal barrier this season. What a turnaround!