Opportunities to bask in the warm glow of fine Villa victories have been few and far between in 2012 -- actually, maybe non-existent this year with the last really memorable win coming at Stamford Bridge on the final day of 2011 -- so it's a nice feeling to reflect on a significant success for once.

Not many teams win at Manchester City these days. That Villa did, just three days after being soundly beaten by Southampton in the league on Saturday, was close to remarkable. Say what you like about the merits of the League Cup and second strength sides being fielded -- this was a deserved result for Villa. Shame on any City fan for trying to trot out the ultra-tired "reserves" line; with Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott, Aleksandar Kolarov, James Milner, Gareth Barry, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez all starting, the hosts weren't exactly on their knees. Villa also took the opportunity to leave Darren Bent and Brett Holman out, as well as Barry Bannan and Brad Guzan. So there, Roberto Mancini.

From shipping four at St Mary's to scoring four at the Etihad: strange and wildly unpredictable times indeed for Villa so far this term. Though a slice of fortune was required to get Villa back into the game -- former skipper Barry helpfully guided the ball into his own net to make it 1-1 (no small amount of pleasure derived there) -- Paul Lambert's team deserved this. Villa had a greater share of possession and more shots on target. This was no smash-and-grab raid.

Not hard to highlight Villa's star performer, either: Gabriel Agbonlahor, making his first real contribution to the season and confirming his return to fitness. Agbonlahor scored two and made another, going about his business with a real hunger and zest. His first was terrific, seizing on to a pass from Karim El Ahmadi and scything through City's defence to finish; his second, though benefiting from a slight deflection, again came from a decisive run. In-between his strikes, he popped up on the left of City's area to move into a shooting position and forced a save from Costel Pantilimon that fell perfectly for Charles N'Zogbia to tap in.

This was vintage Gabby Agbonlahor, the player that Villa had almost taken for granted before form and fitness slipped away -- and perhaps a wee bit of desire and motivation too. He suffered after Martin O'Neill left, struggled under Gerard Houllier and last season, having started in absolute top gear, he tailed off badly.

Around a year ago, I wrote about Agbonlahor and his electrifying performances. He was playing a wide attacking role, allowing Bent to occupy that lone centre-forward spot, and was scoring goals from all over -- right foot curlers from 25 yards out included. Confidence was soaring. I wrote a piece on this very website hailing him and championing his cause as a potential member of England's Euro 2012 squad. I thought he'd be perfect as a roving striker in England's 4-3-3 set-up.

I got that badly wrong, in hindsight. The goals dried up, the purposeful runs hit dead ends. By February-March time, Agbonlahor was publicly wishing the season would end and quickly. We all were too, but to hear that utterance from a player was disturbing.

In the summer, the possibility of selling Abgonlahor was raised and discussed. It made for a popular thread of opinion. Had the home-grown, home-raised striker peaked? And was it time to cash in? After all, it's no secret that Villa now preach transfer prudence and are effectively almost self-financing signings, spending what they sell. Perhaps, went one common viewpoint, it would be worth sacrificing Agbonlahor? An English striker, still in his mid-20s (he's not 26 until the middle of October) with a decent Premier League record -- his transfer value would have been at least six million pounds, maybe as much as 10. And that would have been a significant amount of money for new coach Lambert to play with.

Whether there were offers, we don't know -- Agbonlahor was injured in pre-season, missing pretty much all summer friendlies as well as the start of the new campaign. Villa signed two strikers at the end of August and the questions over his future surfaced again. Lambert has used him sparingly in the last couple of weeks. He didn't get off the bench against Swansea, and entered the fray too late to make much difference at Southampton.

The City match on Tuesday night was his first start of 2012-13. Agbonlahor looked fresh and determined to either make a point or an impression. He was a player let off the leash. Because of his background, he'll always be supported by the Villa fans and his performance against City was a reminder of his ability; maintain form anywhere this level, and Agbonlahor will have a future at the club.

He's a striker like no other at Villa: Bent is a penalty box poacher, Christian Benteke a human battering ram and Andres Weimann another, like Bent, who comes alive in the area. Meanwhile Agbonlahor loves to run at defenders, can start wide and drift in to almost destroy a back four with his pace and directness.

A player like that is not easy to find. Welcome back, Gabby.

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