O'Neill praise for top two

Martin O'Neill has described John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor as a 'great partnership' after some impressive recent displays.

The pair worked together well during Sunday's 2-1 win over West Brom at the Hawthorns, with Carew having shaken off an injury to return to the Villa starting line-up.

Both of the strikers scored against the Baggies, but it was their overall contribution that impressed the Villa boss, who looks set to stick with that pair for this weekend's home clash with Sunderland.

O'Neill told the Birmingham Mail: "Carew did absolutely great. He and Gabby are working a great partnership at this moment.

"Gabby played up on his own for the first half-hour on Thursday in Bulgaria when we were still stodgy at that stage, but that didn't stop him from being brilliant."