Villa boss hails his side's win over Everton

Sep 24 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill hailed the continuing emergence of Gabriel Agbonlahor as a major force after he was again a chief thorn in Everton’s side.

Agbonlahor took his tally against the Merseysiders to three goals in four games with the decisive second after 62 minutes in a 2-0 home win.

He showed his growing maturity with superb control and awareness before slotting the ball past the despairing dive of Everton goalkeeper Stefan Wessels.

O’Neill said: “Gabby’s goal was fantastic. It came from a great touch. It showed just how much he has progressed.

“He is getting stronger. In training he is lethal.

“He wants to play centre-forward but he has also done a job for us out wide and still managed to get a couple of goals when out there. I’m very pleased with him and he is determined to build on the form he showed last season.”

O’Neill also backed Agbonlahor, who was involved in a verbal spat with his team-mate Marlon Harewood at the final whistle.

Harewood was incensed that Agbonlahor chose to try to run down the clock rather than attempt to play him in behind the Everton defence in the closing seconds of the game.

O’Neill said: “I see it from Gabby’s view because there are two minutes to go and we are 2-0 up. Why give the ball away?

“That’s what we were taught years ago and if you do that you put yourself under pressure.

“I can understand the centre forward’s thinking that he might be in with a chance of a goal but Gabby made the right decision and things are fine between them.”

The major downside for O’Neill was a suspected knee ligament injury to striker John Carew after he had scored the opening goal – his first for Villa this season.

Carew will have a scan today to determine the extent of his injury but O’Neill admitted: “It doesn’t look great and it’s a shame for John.”