Passion for their football team is embedded in the DNA of every Valletta fan. They expect every player to honour the club’s traditions every time they put on the City shirt.
This is why Edmond Agius is held in high esteem by the City faithtful.
Signed in 2008 after his contract with Hibs expired at the end of the previous season, Agius has had to bide his time for sustained first-team action amid the ever-increasing competition for midfield spots but his perseverance and never-say-die attitude look to have been rewarded.
Since regaining his place in City’s midfield last season, Agius has been on a steady upward curve. On Saturday, the 24-year-old offered the strongest proof yet of his improvement and maturity with a man-of-the-match performance in Valletta’s 2-1 victoy over Birkirkara.
Agius has long been regarded as one of the most tenacious midfielders in the Premier League but last weekend, he also showed fine distribution skills as it was from his set-piece crosses that the champions scored their two goals.
“This game was important for us,” Agius said. “It will help us ahead of our next games against Floriana and Sliema.
“The result was positive and tactically, I think we showed good organisation. I believe this win will stand us in good stead for our forthcoming matches.”
As reigning champions and hot favourites to win the title, Valletta have little margin for error. Their unexpected 2-0 defeat to Hibs further increased the pressure on the Citizens to take maximum points from their clash with Birkirkara as this was their first ‘big’ game since their bid to set a new record for the longest unbeaten run in the league was halted by the Paolites.
“There is always pressure at Valletta, that’s normal,” Agius said. “The expectations are higher before big games but we can handle the situation.
“The unity among the players is our chief strength and it was the key factor behind our victory over Birkirkara.”
The defeat to Hibs may have punctured Valletta’s aura of invincibility but Agius claimed that the players have put that upset behind them.
“We have forgotten our defeat to Hibs,” Agius said. “There’s no point contemplating what might have been. We’ve moved on. The championship is still in its early stages and the road ahead of us is very long.
“It’s not nice when you lose but I don’t think the Hibs defeat will count for anything in the long run.”
Agius was among the first signings made by Valletta at the start of Victor Sciriha’s second season as club president.
Since then, the Citizens have further enhanced the quality of their midfield by acquiring a host of leading players, in the process intensifying the competition for places.
That Agius has managed to stay in the team says everything about his commitment.
“The quality of the players at Valletta is very high,” Agius said. “Year after year, the club have been signing the best players in the country. The competition is very intense.
“I always try to give my 100 per cent in training and games and then it’s up to the coach to choose the team.”
It is this resilience, this willingness to push himself to the limit that has endeared Agius to the City fans.
“The supporters are fantastic and I want to publicly thank them for staying behind the team,” Agius said.
“On a personal level, I have an excellent rapport with the fans. I think they like my commitment and determination... I have a lot of fighting spirit, that’s my character. I always want give my best.”
For a time, it looked as though Agius’s persistence would not suffice to improve his first-team chances, especially during season 2009/10 when Dutchman Ton Caanen was in charge of Valletta.
Caanen always spoke highly of Agius but a lack of first-team opportunities for the latter led to reports of a possible loan move in January 2010.
Agius admitted that a number of clubs had expressed an interest in taking him on loan but he decided to stay put after discussing the matter with Sciriha.
“My intention always was to stay with Valletta,” Agius said. “For me, wearing the Valletta shirt is a great honour.
“I went through a difficult time two seasons ago, when Caanen was coach of the team. I tried to remain positive, even when I was not playing. Some clubs asked me to join them on loan but the president made it clear to me that he didn’t want me to leave.
“I have to say that Jordi Cruyff and Nicky Saliba (Valletta’s team manager at the time) helped me a lot that season. You have to take the positives from every situation because nothing comes easy in life.
“I’ve learned from every coach I’ve had. This coach (Jesmond Zerafa) has helped me to improve my positional sense. Before, I used to run a lot during games but the coach has been showing me how to keep my position and be more effective.”
Although Valletta are second in the table, one point behind Hibs, Agius is convinced that the Citizens remain the team to beat.
“I still believe we have the strongest squad in the Premier League,” Agius said. “The other clubs have improved but we’re still the best team.”
Ambitions
Agius, whose contract with Valletta expires in 2013, is keen to win many more honours with the club.
“I want to enjoy more success with Valletta,” Agius reflected. “From a personal perspective, I want to keep improving and be consistent in my performances.
“With regards to my future, I’m happy at Valletta and for this, I want to express my gratitude to the coach, players, president, committee and the fans.”
A regular member of the Malta U-21 squad, Agius has yet to make the grade to the senior side but his sound performances for the champions have strengthened his chances of earning his first call-up.
“The national team... every player wants to represent his country and I’m no different,” Agius said.
“The only thing I can do is keep doing my best to help Valletta. I trust in the judgment of the national coaches in choosing those players who are in the best form.”
Premier League statistics
Scorers, red cards
Balzan Youths: Ciantar 3; Camilleri; Bright.
Red cards: Pedrinho (vs Qormi, vs Mqabba), Francica (vs Hibs).
Birkirkara: Avila 6; Cilia 2 (1 pen), Pereira 2.
Red card: Decesare (vs Mosta).
Floriana: Caruana 4; Woods 3 (1 pen); Cassar, Odwong, Mintoff, Farrugia, Micallef.
Own goal: Everton (vs Tarxien).
Red card: Amamoo (vs Sliema).
Ħamrun Spartans: Ribeiro 3; Luis Silva, Grima, Sammut, Porcari, Shields.
Red card: Agius (vs Balzan).
Hibs: Edison 9; Failla 5; Caruana, Soares, Cohen.
Red card: Pulis (vs Valletta).
Marsaxlokk: Obiefule 7; Deanov 3; Farrugia, Kokavessis, Lattes.
Red card: Templeman (vs Hibs).
Mosta: Zammit 2 (1 pen); Martin. Own goal: Buhagiar (vs Birkirkara).
Red card: Ossok (vs Hibs).
Mqabba: Mamic 4; Mazzitelli 3; Azzopardi, Briffa.
Red card: Mazzitelli (vs Marsaxlokk).
Qormi: Farrugia 4 (2 pens), Jorge Pereira 3; Nwoke 2; Bello Osagie, Bartolo, Sciberras.
Sliema: Mitev 3 (2 pens); Jorge 2, Mifsud Triganza 2; Lima, Scerri, Bajada, Ani, Frendo.
Red cards: Scerri (vs Hibs), Grech (vs Floriana), Mitev (vs Marsaxlokk).
Tarxien Rainbows: Bueno 4 (1 pen); Ricardo 3; Everton.
Red card: Anonam (vs Mosta).
Valletta: Effiong 4, Barbosa 4; Denni 3; Mifsud 2, Pace 2, Borg 2; Zongo.
Red cards: G. Agius, Borg, Fenech (vs Hibs).
Current standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Hibernians | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 5 | 19 |
| Valletta | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 8 | 18 |
| Floriana | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 16 |
| Sliema | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 10 | 12 |
| Qormi | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
| Birkirkara | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Mqabba | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 10 |
| Marsaxlokk | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 7 |
| Ħamrun | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 7 |
| Balzan Youths | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 5 |
| Tarxien | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 4 |
| Mosta | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 1 |
Next fixtures
Friday (Tedesco Stadium)
18.00 Hibs vs Mqabba
20.15 Mosta vs Sliema
Saturday (National Stadium)
15.00 Qormi vs Marsaxlokk
17.00 Ħamrun vs Birkirkara
Sunday (National Stadium)
15.00 Tarxien vs Balzan
17.00 Floriana vs Valletta