By Paul Brown

Gabby Agbonlahor is eager to put aside his frustrating personal start to the season in a fixture which always brings a smile to his face.

Agbonlahor has had a tough time of it over the past few weeks, with the star striker missing out on pre-season and the start of the new campaign through injury.

But as he battles the back, hamstring and calf issues which have sidelined him, it's somewhat appropriate that a cheery fixture appears on the horizon.

As the star striker looks to compete in top-flight action for the first time this season, Everton await - a team he has many happy memories of playing against.

Agbonlahor was a mere 19-year-old youngster when he marked his debut against the Toffees at Goodison Park with a brilliantly-taken goal.

And since then, the speed demon has been in fine form against David Moyes's men, scoring four in the following nine clashes between the clubs.

In fact, his late equaliser against Everton in April 2007 was, in former boss Martin O'Neill's opinion, the most important goal of the season as it put a needed point on the board after a difficult spell of results.

And that's not all. His deft touch to set up Ashley Young heralded one of the most amazing finishes to any game, when Villa won a thriller on Merseyside 3-2 in December 2008.

He said: "I remember the one from my debut and the same the following season at home. They are two that certainly stick out.

"Hopefully my record can continue on Sunday.

"I'm not superstitious though - I don't think it's anything to do with it being the same team.

"Saying all that, if the game this weekend is anything like the game a few seasons ago at Goodison Park when Ashley scored the late winner, it would be some match. We would certainly take that result on Sunday.

"It is going to be a really tough game though. Every time they come to Villa Park it has been a tough match so the boys know that and we will be ready for it."

The winds of change have swept into Villa Park during Agbonlahor's spell on the sidelines, with former boss Martin O'Neill resigning and Kevin MacDonald taking the reins on a temporary basis.

Agbonlahor took time out to praise Villa's current caretaker manager, insisting the players have faith in him.

He also paid tribute to departed manager O'Neill, who really set Agbonlahor on the road to footballing fame.

He added: "The boys just want to get it right and hopefully get a good result against Everton.

"I think everyone is behind Kev - even the boys that have not been playing the last few seasons in the reserves have a lot of respect for him.

"If Kev was to get it he'd do a great job - that's my view.

"But I haven't got a bad thing to say about Martin. When he came in he gave me my chance and looking back I've barely missed a game. It's sad he's left.

"Since Kev's come in the lads have done well so we've got to look forward now and try to put it behind us."