O’Neill pays homage to his Archangel Gabriel

WHEN John Carew limped out of action at the start of November, Aston Villa’s hopes of mounting a sustained challenge to the Big Four’s monopoly appeared to disappear with him.

The Norwegian had been Villa’s totem during their flying start to the season but Gabriel Agbonlahor, Martin O’Neill believes, has raised his performances to a new level in Carew’s absence,.

Agbonlahor has relished the challenge of a new role as the lone striker and gained confidence from finally making his England debut against Germany in Berlin last month.