Agbonlahor unfazed by goal drought March 10 2008
Martin O'Neill insisted Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor's confidence has not been affected by his current goal drought.
Agbonlahor is Villa's second top scorer with seven goals and impressed England coach Fabio Capello sufficiently to be named in the squad to face Switzerland last month before having to withdraw through injury.
The 21-year-old has netted only once in the past four months - against Wigan - and is still without a goal in eight appearances in 2008.
But O'Neill's faith in Agbonlahor remains unwavering ahead of Wednesday's rearranged Premier League clash with beaten FA Cup quarter-finalists Middlesbrough.
The Villa manager said: "Confidence in football is what it is all about and it can make or break you. It can come and go minute by minute, never mind game by game.
"Players need goals and every centre-forward would say the same. But some players are very confident regardless of what else is happening and Gabby is one of them.
"I think he has been fantastic for us and he is at the top of his game at the moment and improving all the time which is great for him and Aston Villa."
O'Neill is optimistic the midlands club can sustain their push for a top six place although they now find themselves eight points adrift of both Liverpool and Everton.
The Irishman said: "We have got ourselves into a decent position with 10 matches to go. We have just got to go and try and push on or stay with it and make it really interesting.
"We are definitely a much better side than this time last year. Although we have the smallest squad in the Premier League, apart from Easter time we are down to one game per week and we should be able to cope with it.
"If the players show the same kind of attitude as they have been generally showing, then we will be fine."