Stiliyan Petrov is hoping Aston Villa fans are finally starting to see the best of him this season.
Petrov lit up Pride Park on Saturday with a contender for goal of the season that was the highlight of an impressive display from manager Martin O'Neill's side.
The goal, a 50-yard screamer on the half-volley after goalkeeper Roy Carroll had made a hasty clearance, ended a year-long drought for the 28-year-old.
"It was a wake-up call," Petrov said.
"When I don't play, I always blame myself first. I don't blame anybody else.
"But I always work as hard as I can to get back in, to take the positives from my experiences and move forward. I'll always be like that.
"Maybe he (O'Neill) decided I wasn't playing the way he wanted me to play, and that's why he dropped me. I accept that.
"I just hope now the Villa fans have started to see the best of me in these last three games.
"To be honest, I don't blame them at all if they were frustrated with me because they want the team to do well, and they have expectations which is good.
"But I'll always take on the challenge. I'll never run away from it.
"In these last three games my confidence has risen, as has my performance and I hope I can keep going the same way."
