By Paul Brown

Paul Lambert admits Villa are missing Gabby Agbonlahor's pace and power up front.

Agbonlahor is still some weeks from returning to action after damaging the media ligament in his knee during the Chicago Fire match on the tour of USA.

Up until that point, Agbonlahor had been in fine form, showing his grace throughout pre-season.

Discussing Villa's lack of cutting edge after the West Ham opening day defeat, Lambert pointed to Agbonlahor as a big absentee in the final third thrusts.

Lambert is a big fan of the speed demon, who always gives a manager options going forward.

He said: "Losing Gabby has been a blow for us. He's a big player.

"His pace is great for us and he was playing very well in pre season so that was the disappointing thing in losing him.

"It's been a blow, no doubt about it. We're still talking another few weeks before he's back.

"His pace and strength are major pluses for the side. When he comes back we'll be stronger in that department, no doubt."

Lambert is confident, however, that Darren Bent will fire for Villa soon.

Bent found the going tough at Upton Park but Lambert is adamant the star striker needs better service from his team.

He added: "Darren will score, that's for sure. He's a goal threat. We just have to get the service to him. That's the key.

"I thought we had a lot of the ball, especially the first half-hour. We knocked it about well and we started very well.

"But if you have a lot of the ball you've got to try and create. You've got to be more penetrative than what we were. But Bent is a goalscorer!"

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