Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill: I kept faith in Gabby
Agbonlahor, who turned 23 on Tuesday, is poised to earn his third England cap in Wednesday night's final World Cup qualifier with Belarus at Wembley.
Fabio Capello is set to reward him for a flying start to the current campaign which has brought him five goals in 10 appearances.
It was a different story at the end of last season when the Villa fans turned on Agbonlahor as their side's hopes of securing a Champions League spot faded.
Agbonlahor was even booed and jeered when substituted in one home game and he looked to be suffering from a lack of confidence.
But O'Neill has always showed his belief in Agbonlahor.
O'Neill said: "Gabby has had a few disappointments along the way - but he has shown a tremendous aptitude which I am delighted with.
"I didn't take him to one side when the fans had a go in one particular game but I never lost faith in the lad.
"I don't think he was ever disheartened, disappointed at times. He will not say a great deal to me. He just nods approval to me just to get me out of the way.
"The great thing about Gabby is he wants to get better and he has been fantastic this season. He has got a willingness to work for the side now.
"South Africa is a long way off but I did say to him if you are scoring goals as a centre-forward, the rest of your game will be highlighted by people and it will be hard to ignore you."
Agbonlahor began life under O'Neill as a wide player in a 4-3-3 formation and then last season operated effectively on his own up front in a 4-5-1 system.
O'Neill has reverted back to that this season with John Carew and Emile Heskey having to play second fiddle to the Villa academy product.
O'Neill said: "Gabby was making his way really when I came here. I played him in a system because I was trying to get to know the players three years ago with Juan Pablo Angel up front. We had
Luke Moore and Gabby on the wings.
"I said if he plays wide right for us, with all the work
involved, playing centre-forward will be physically a doddle for him.
"Last season he played on his own up front for three months with
John Carew out of the side injured and loved it and we had a great run.
"Gabby is able to play on his own and also with any of the partners chosen with him."
England v Belarus 1st Goalscorer: Agbonlahor, G. 11/2
