Gabby is key man for Villa

Pacy Agbonlahor has started the season on fire with four goals including strikes against Manchester United and Chelsea.

The 20-year-old's stunning progress has led many to believe he will be the next Villa player selected for the England squad.

But O'Neill revealed his development was borne out of hours of practice.

"He's doing really great. He's learned an awful lot," said O'Neill.

"He's trying to hold the ball up all the time. That's been the most encouraging aspect.

"But he hasn't just been doing it for the last week or two, he's been doing it since the back end of last season.

"We saw how terrific he was during the run we went on, which was really illuminating.

"We had to play without John Carew, and he did that role - while also causing teams problems by getting round the back of them."

O'Neill believes Agbonlahor has learned from his peers, adding: "The great thing about the younger players is they know what it takes to be very good Premier League players.

"I'll go back to my own career; the best way to learn is on the field, no matter what Brian Clough might have told me.

"You see what your opposite number is doing, and you think I'm going to try to emulate that'.

"That's where Gabby has scored so very impressively. He wants to take it on board.

"Never for once do you ever get the impression he thinks he's done enough. He always feels he can improve.

"Allied to great speed is the fact he knows he has to work hard at those other things."

Carew may be fit for Sunday's clash at Bolton.