Aston Villa's Gabby Agbonlahor calls for survival focus

Victory over Hull tomorrow would all but guarantee Premier League safety after another season of struggle.

A six-game winless run has kept the claret and blues stuck in relegation trouble ahead of the final three matches of the season.

Last weekend's 4-1 defeat at Swansea saw fans call for boss Paul Lambert's head as patience starts to snap.

But Agbonlahor wants to overlook their on-field strife to ensure they tame the Tigers to clinch survival.

He said: "Last week was a disappointing weekend. To lose 4-1 to anyone in the Premier League is disappointing. I think we've just got to forget about that and look forward to Hull and make things right.

"It is going to be a tough game, we know that. Hull probably see themselves as not being safe yet so it is going to be tough.

"They are going to come and make it hard for us, play with 100 per cent and try and get the result. That's the most we can do."

It will be the second home game with Gordon Cowans and Shay Given as Paul Lambert's assistants following the suspension of Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa. Agbonlahor played with veteran keeper and believes he and Cowans can only aid the team.

"I know Sid and Shay quite well. I think they had done really well as coaches so far. Shay has had a lot of input in the first team," he said. "Sid has too and I think it is good for all the players. You can't ask for anyone better than Sid. He got voted the best player of all time for Villa so you can't have anyone better coaching you."

Agbonlahor scored his first goal since New Year's Day at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday after linking with Marc Albrighton and believes he has proved his worth to Villa.

He added: "Marc has been playing really well and is capable for putting in those sorts of crosses. I think everyone knows what a great player he is. Since he has come back from Wigan he has been on fire. He has been playing really well so hopefully that can continue."