During the MON days, Gabby was used heavily in a counter attacking role, and that is where most of his goals came from. When O'Neil left, particularly during the Lambert period, Villa no longer played a counter attacking game, but used slow build up with crosses into the box. If any players were gifted with speed, it became an unutilised talent. Gabby was never a target man, like, say, Benteke. Instead of running on to through balls, he had to park in the box, wait for an accurate cross, and get the ball past 3 defenders and a goalkeeper. Having to change his playing style from what he knows and does well would effect his form and goal tally more than anything else.