Steve Bruce promises to get Gabby Agbonlahor fit and firing for Aston Villa

Steve Bruce has promised to get Gabriel Agbonlahor back in shape after the striker made his first Aston Villa appearance this season.

Agbonlahor made his return from six months out in the wilderness as a late substitute for Villa in their 1-1 draw with Birmingham at St Andrews.

The striker was frozen out under previous bosses Roberto Di Matteo and Remi Garde and was told his days at the club were over.

However, Bruce said Agbonlahor has a clean slate to work from and rewarded his hard work in training with a place on the bench in the second city derby.

With 10 minutes remaining, Bruce introduced Agbonhalor, who looked lively on his first taste of action since March. 

"He's done everything I've asked in two weeks," Bruce said. 

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"What we have to do is make sure we have him in the condition so that he can play 90 minutes instead of just 20 minutes.

"He's a very, very, good striker and played in the big league all his life. So, if I can get him into some shape - and I will do - then we'll have a very good player on our hands. Why would I discard him?"

David Davis' second-half strike prevented Bruce from making a winning return to Birmingham City.

Bruce and Villa had appeared set for a massive three points after Solihull-born Gary Gardner's looping header, his first goal for the club, had opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark.

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The result means Villa are still yet to taste defeat with Bruce at the helm. 

"We remain unbeaten but it's never going to be easy coming here," Bruce said. 

"We had to adapt, which we did well. They asked questions of us by getting the ball forward and cross at every opportunity.

"They made it very difficult for us. Thankfully, we stood up to that. We could have been a little better with the ball but it's a derby game.  From where I was sitting, honours even was about right."