An Alan Hutton cross turned in by Gabby Agbonlahor is an event few Villa fans would have predicted a short time ago but became a reality on the opening day of the 2017/18 Championship campaign.
They are perhaps the two players that most divide opinions within the squad, but while the right-back deserves credit for deservedly winning over at least some of the support, the latter still has a great deal of work to do to convince this fan that he warrants this second (third, fourth, fifth) chance. It's difficult to keep count of how many times the striker has disappointed in one way or another.
In truth he's done very little but that for a matter of years now, either due to his attitude and behaviour off the pitch or his underwhelming displays on it. Against the odds, however, Agbonlahor remains a Villa player, and one that it would seem has a greater role to play this season than for quite some time if Steve Bruce's assertions are anything to go by.
The former Birmingham boss clearly has a great deal more patience and faith in the player than many of his predecessors. Agbonlahor's name, after all, has been more synonymous with the phrase 'fat camp' than it has with 'goal' in recent years.
He even drew praise from many of the Villa fans that fight his corner tirelessly for returning to pre-season in shape, as if it isn't his job to be fit - or at least actively attempt to be fit - as a bare minimum. A decent opening day showing should certainly only be seen as the start of what could yet prove a season of redemption for a previously unanimous fan favourite.
There are two sure fire ways to earn the supporters' tolerance after all. The first is to be a local lad that's come up through the ranks and the second is to be exceptionally talented. Gabby Agbonlahor, of course, falls under the first. There was a time, now in the distant past, that there was real hope he could be both, lest we forget.
Rewind nine years and the 21-year-old was bagging an opening day Premier League hat-trick against Manchester City. Oh, how times have changed for all parties involved. Before that treble he had already racked up over twenty top-flight goals, since then he has very rarely hit the same heights.
It makes the seemingly blinkered opinion of some that this could be a prolific season for the 30-year-old all the more baffling. He hasn't reached double figures in league goals since 2009/10, with 44 of 75 league goals scored in four seasons under the tenure of Martin O’Neill.
No manager has come close to getting the same tune from the one time England international, with Agbonlahor netting just 30 goals in the seven seasons since the Ulsterman departed. Steve Bruce will hope that the club’s stalwart can wind back the years but there have been many false dawns as far as the forward is concerned. The end of the 2012/13 season offered hope that the Villa man could yet offer a real threat but until he performs for a matter of months rather than weeks fans shouldn’t get carried away.
From an individual perspective, this is one final make or break season for a player hoping to earn a new contract. Ironically, if he does contribute to a successful return to the Premier League, it could spell the end of his time at the club, who may look to move on once the striker's deal is up given his struggles at top-flight level for some time.
Whilst he’s in the manager’s plans, this fan will be hoping Agbonlahor can finally prove him wrong. Helping Villa get back to where they belong would be a perfect way to truly win back the respect of those that expected so much from a career that has ultimately delivered little to now. It's coming to a time to let the next generation in the form of Andre Green, Kienan Davis and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy have a shot at realising their potential where the 30-year-old could not.
