John Gregory hails Villa 'saviour' Gabby Agbonlahor

Paul Lambert's team face Fulham at Villa Park tomorrow with Agbonlahor having matched Yorke's 60-goal tally in the Premier League.

With three key goals in his last four appearances to help his side win crunch matches against Reading, Queens Park Rangers and Stoke, Agbonlahor's Villa Park popularity has never been higher.

The Birmingham-born striker has required 60 more appearances to reach Yorke's total.

But former boss John Gregory, who worked so closely with the Trinidad & Tobago international, believes any comparison between the pair is invalid.

Gregory said: "They are two very different players. Yorkey could carve out goals for himself, perhaps more spectacular efforts and was probably a more creative player.

"But I see Gabby as an out and out finisher – a player who doesn't care what they look like, as long as they cross the line.

"I think Dwight could play anywhere, to be honest. He was comfortable in midfield or playing up on his own.

"I don't think it's any surprise that Gabby flourished under Martin O'Neill with that counter-attacking style and the presence of a big man such as Emile Heskey or John Carew up front."

But where Agbonlahor scores over Yorke is in his devotion to Villa. Gregory famously greeted Yorke's infamous 1998 walk-out to join Manchester United by quipping: 'If I had a gun, I could have shot him.'

He said: "That was just an off-the-cuff remark that has followed me ever since. But I can still feel the sense of rejection to this day!

"Gabby has been a brilliant servant to Villa. In their hour of need he has been there for them.

"As the local boy, the Villa fans have stood by him. They know what it means to him to play for Villa.

"As a person, he has appreciated where he has come from. Always shown a certain humility and always had time for a photograph or an autograph. He strikes me as being very grounded.

"He might not have had that opportunity that Dwight was presented with – to join Manchester United – but he's still there plugging away, banging the goals in.

"Had he been given the chance that Dwight was offered, he would probably have taken it. I'm sure for all the hurt we felt when Dwight left us, we still now realise he was one of the best.

"He was certainly one of the best I worked with. He was a great striker with a great appetite for the game.

"But Gabby is still there, he still gives everything. When you are scrapping for everything in a dogfight, it's very easy for players to go missing.

"It's very easy to have an injury you're not in a hurry to get back from. But Gabby has got out there and been pivotal."

Inspired by Agbonlahor, Villa are now one of the form teams of the relegation scrap and the pressure will be on them to take a big step towards safety at Fulham's expense.

Gregory has no doubts that Lambert's young side have broken the back of their quest.

He said: "I said a couple of months ago that they would get 38 points and be safe. I'm confident they will do it now."