Source: SKY_Sports
Gabby backed to bounce back
Stiliyan Petrov reckons Aston Villa team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor will soon be back to his best after being targeted by his own supporters.
Villa have slipped out of the top four in recent weeks and Agbonlahor has bore the brunt of the fans' frustrations, being jeered during their last home game against Tottenham.
The recent England call-up had scored just once in his previous 14 games but ended his goal drought in Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Manchester United.
Petrov believes the young striker is mature enough to deal with the abuse and is confident he will come back stronger.
"I don't think Gabby has taken too much notice of that because he's a clever boy and he knows when fans demand, he needs to produce," he said.
"He went on not a bad run, but a run when things weren't going for him.
But he's working very hard in training to improve that and to get better.
"Sometimes things don't go well for you. He understands that and I think when you see Gabby in the next few games you will see a different player."
Villa have gone nine games without a win in all competitions, crashing out of the FA Cup and UEFA Cup, and taking just one point from 18 in the league.
Petrov therefore believes the fans' jeers stemmed from frustration with the team rather than just Agbonlahor, who is Villa's top league scorer with 11 so far this season.
"I don't think the frustration was just against Gabby," said the Bulgarian midfielder. "I think the fans were frustrated with all the team.
"For example, against Tottenham, we weren't winning and the fans expected us to win that game and we couldn't do it.
"Gabby was just the victim who happened to be substituted at that time when the fans were really frustrated.
"I don't think they meant it. It just happened and most fans will probably admit they shouldn't have reacted that way, but Gabby hasn't let it get to him.
"He's been very good. We haven't really talked about it, but we can see him enjoying working hard and trying to show everybody that he can do it again.
"Fans love people that score goals and Gabby's been scoring goals," Petrov added. "In the last three years he's been outstanding for us.
"Things went a little bit off for him in the last few games and it's normal. When you're a striker you need to score goals and, when you don't score goals, people turn on you.
"But Gabby's been outstanding and he'll come back stronger."
