Lambert: Agbonlahor a huge asset for relegation run-in

Posted Thursday, April 04, 2013 by Goal.com

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has been pleased with Gabriel Agbonlahor's form during his tenure as manager and backs the forward to play a key role in the club's fight for Premier League survival.

The 26-year-old attacker experienced a goal drought at the end of last season and during the start of the 2012-13 campaign but has recently found form, scoring four goals since January.

"I think Gabby has been excellent," Lambert told the media. "He is loving his football at the minute, is scoring quite regularly at the moment - and when Gabby gets a run at you, there are not many people going to catch him.

"The one thing that was lacking in his game was goals. His stats from that point of view up to the West Brom game weren't great but what he does bring is genuine pace to the game and a threat.

"He has added goals and that's why he is enjoying it. He looks sharp in training."

Aston Villa slipped to 18th in the table following a 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool on Sunday but Lambert is confident that Agbonlahor and his other attacking players have what it takes to drag the team away from the relegation zone.

"If we can keep him, Charles N'Zogbia, Christian Benteke and Andreas Weimann fit we've got loads of options up front," he enthused.