Agbonlahor shines as Villa beat Wigan

Aug 30, 2009 - 7:16 PM By MARK HENDRY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Martin O'Neill believes Gabi Agbonlahor can become Aston Villa's lone ranger after scoring one goal and creating the other during Sunday's 2-0 win at home to Fulham.

O'Neill started Agbonlahor on his own up front in a bid to transfer Villa's impressive away form to home matches.

Agbonlahor responded with a brilliant long-range strike and also played a part in John Pantsil's early own goal as Villa bounced back from their midweek Europa League exit.

O'Neill, whose side beat Liverpool 3-1 on Monday but crashed out of Europe on away goal despite beating Rapid Vienna 2-1 on Thursday, said: "It is very pleasing to have won at home.

"That was important to us because our home record last season was not fantastic and certainly did not match our away form.

"Agbonlahor played on his own and had a hand in both goals. The second goal was the defining moment.

"I felt the team who played so brilliantly at Anfield deserved a second crack and we went in with that.

"Agbonlahor enjoys playing on his own and we felt if we got support up to him and the midfield going behind him we would have a chance.

"It does not always work to plan but we are prepared to change the team accordingly.

"I am delighted because we have won three games in a week."

Fulham were seeking inspiration from Wigan's 2-0 opening day win at Villa Park but Roy Hodgson's side got off to the worst possible start, falling behind after only three minutes.

Ashley Young's teasing free kick caused havoc in the Fulham defence and Agbonlahor put Pantsil under enough pressure to force the Ghanaian to head into his own net.

Fulham never got going in the first half and a Villa defence which included 19-year-old debutant Ciaran Clark easily shut out the visitors' second-choice strike force of Erik Nevland and Diomansy Kamara.

Steve Sidwell could have added a second before half time but blazed over from just outside the penalty area.

Agbonlahor showed Sidwell how it should be done on 59 minutes, picking the ball up 40 yards out before blasting an unstoppable low shot past Mark Schwarzer from 22 yards.

Fulham manager Hodgson refused to use Fulham's long trip to Russia on Thursday for their Europa League qualifier with Amkar Perm as an excuse for the defeat.

Hodgson said: "I don't think it was a very good performance from us. The first goal was conceded needlessly after three minutes and that put us on the back foot.

"Aston Villa are very strong and determined but we did not do anything to trouble them enough, especially in the first half.

"We have got to learn to deal with playing three games a week. We have to find more energy. Work harder, play together and get better.

"We have to make certain we at least match our opponents if not better.

"We are considering bringing in more players. We are looking at a lot of options and will see how they pan out."