Gabby told to do it again by Villa boss
Tim Sherwood has called on Gabriel Agbonlahor to repeat his derby heroics and insisted he is crucial to Villa's survival bid.
The forward scored just his fourth goal of the season in the 2-1 win over Albion on Tuesday, which lifted them out of the Premier League relegation zone.
They face the Baggies at Villa Park again today in the FA Cup quarter-final following Christian Benteke's last-minute penalty winner.
Agbonlahor has been criticised for inconsistent performances in recent years, but Sherwood believes he can now be Villa's trump card.
He said: "It's about this time when Gabby normally comes out and starts keeping this team in the league.
"I had a lot of chats with him, a lot of chats with Christian and every player. The strike partnership outside the top six, they've got to be the best two. But you have to go and prove it and go and do it.
"It shouldn't be ignored and I think it was appreciated by the fans the other night, they were singing his name, you can't imagine how much players grow from that."
Sherwood wants to tap into Agbonlahor, Villa's record Premier League goalscorer with 70, and admitted he made special plans to combat the 28-year-old while Tottenham boss last season.
"Absolutely," he said, when asked whether he identified Agbonlahor as key to Villa.
"Every game I've told him to play on the shoulder and look to get in behind, because once he gets in behind you he's very quick and hard to stop."
Sherwood is without the suspended Alan Hutton but could welcome back Ron Vlaar.
Aly Cissokho, Kieran Richardson and Nathan Baker are out.
