September 2011 Archives

Reporter: "Gabby, you must be euphoric?"

Agbonlahor: "Nah, I'm English."

What proportion of that exchange is the truth and how much is myth has been lost in the mists of time since the Brummie striker's brilliant opening day hat-trick against Manchester City in August 2009.

But when it comes to embellishments, Agbonlahor is the master of improvement and enhancement given the extra qualities which now adorn his game.

Villa's current longest serving player headed his 51st Premier League goal to rescue a point for Villa at Everton last weekend.

If it seems a long time since he was scoring his first of that tally on his top flight debut at Goodison Park, it's not. It was only in March 2006, five-and-a-half years ago.

In that time, the raw Erdington teenager has become a claret and blue stalwart and tomorrow, against Newcastle, he is poised to make his 200th start for the club.

Yet, despite being just nine short of Dwight Yorke's Premier League scoring record of 60 goals, the 24-year-old remains something of an unsung hero.