It was another hugely successful campaign for the young striker from Erdington, and only a hamstring injury prevented him from making the starting line-up in every game for the second consecutive season.

The one he missed was the 4-1 home win over Newcastle United, but his value to the side was underlined by his immediate recall for the following game at Reading. His injury did, however, result in him having to withdraw from Fabio Capello's first England squad for the game against Switzerland, although he was on the bench for the end-of-season friendlies against USA and Trinidad & Tobago.

Despite a three-month goal drought, Agbonlahor also matched his 2006-07 haul of 11 goals, all of them coming in league games this time. He was stuck on seven from the end of December until the end of March but then netted in four successive games as Villa remained unbeaten throughout April.

Even when the goals were not flowing, his pace made him a real handful for opposition defences. He was voted Barclays Player of the Month for November.