Gabby Agbonlahor’s Villa career looked to be over when he was frozen out of the team by Remi Garde during the club’s spectacular slide out of the Premier League two seasons ago.

Garde’s assistant boss Eric Black took over as caretaker boss and announced Agbonlahor had been put on a personal fitness programme as he was not in shape to play.

And Roberto Di Matteo, Garde’s permanent replacement, banished Agbonlahor to train with the kids and revealed the striker was not part of his plans.

But current boss Bruce has hinted he may hand Agbonlahor a new Aston Villa contract and complete an amazing turnaround in his career.

“It’s a big, important time for Gabby,” said Bruce. “Can he stay fit and can he get himself into the team again?

“In the first game of the season I picked him because of the pre-season he had and unfortunately he had a horrible injury, a really bad tear of his calf.

“The big thing for Gabby now is can he get himself back into the team and get himself fit and put himself in a position to get a new contract at the end of the season? We’ll see.

“In over a year he’s done everything he can and he’s picked up a horrible calf injury, which is annoying. So it’s all up to Gabby.”

Agbonlahor was given a clean slate when Bruce was appointed 14 months ago and forced his way back into the first-team fray at the start of this season before getting injured.

He joined Villa’s squad for a fancy dress Christmas party in London last Saturday.

And Bruce said the outing was proof of the improving team spirit at Villa Park, with his promotion-chasing side having lost just two league games since August.

“It’s very difficult to have a Christmas party when you haven’t won for eight weeks or whatever,” said Bruce of previous seasons.

“But I do believe it’s important that there’s a spirit that comes alive.

“A lot of them are getting comfortable with the surroundings and they now understand the demands. Results make everybody feel a bit better.”