Agbonlahor was handed a first start since March for the clash with Brighton on Friday night.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce explained to Sky Sports pre-game his decision to hand Gabriel Agbonlahor a start in the clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday night, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail.
Agbonlahor has been given an unexpected chance of redemption since Bruce’s appointment as Villa boss in October.
The 30-year-old’s career at his boyhood club looked to be over last season after he resigned the captaincy and was suspended by the club for his off-field behaviour, before being placed on a strict fitness programme in April.
However, he was brought off the bench during the 1-1 draw with Birmingham City at the end of October, and played a part in the build-up to Jonathan Kodjia’s winner against Blackburn Rovers before the international break.
He was promoted from the bench to the starting XI for the clash at the AMEX, and Bruce has explained his reasoning behind the decision which proved controversial amongst supporters.
Bruce said, as reported by the Birmingham Mail: “He made an impact against Blackburn, that’s for sure.
“I just felt that in the two weeks everyone has been away he has done everything he can. He’s ahead of scheduled so I think he deserves his chance.”
Agbonlahor put in a decent shift for Villa without ever really posing much of an attacking threat, before he was substituted early in the second half after appearing to pick up a knock.
Villa’s 1-1 draw sees them extend their unbeaten start under Bruce to six games, and was a full display of their transformation so far under the new boss.
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