<text>  As the Premier League season enters its final straight, a few unexpected names have risen to the fore as teams fight to either stave off relegation or strive for a top four finish. Tim Sherwood attacking instincts have managed to get Aston Villa firing again with three of his players making the top 10 in the Player Performance Index PPI chart created by EA Sports. Meanwhile, Marouane Fellainis improving form, which included a fine goal against Tottenham, has been silencing his early critics at Old Trafford. 10. Charles NZogbia, Aston Villa PPI score: 34.4 The first of three Aston Villa stars to have been reinvigorated by the arrival of new manager Tim Sherwood. The former Wigan winger has been released from the shackles of Paul Lamberts previous reign and was back dribbling down the touchline this weekend while providing an assist in Villas 4-0 hammering of Sunderland. No 10: Aston Villa winger Charles NZogbia is back doing what he does best under Tim Sherwood . The EA Sports PPI is the official player rating index of the Premier League. It measures a players contribution to the success of his team. The intention is to remove any opinion bias and only work with proven statistical measurements which become more accurate as the season progresses. So, what are the six indices? 1. Winning Performance . 2. Players Performance per match . 3. Appearances . 4. Goals scored . 5. Assists . 6. Clean sheets . 9. Joel Ward, Crystal Palace 35.9 Not only did the Eagles defender win four tackles and make seven clearances during his sides 3-1 defeat of struggling QPR, but he also managed to score. The sight of of a full-back celebrating in the style of Cristiano Ronaldo will still be etched in the minds of worried Rangers fans. 8. Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace 38.8 On his current form, Wilfried Zaha could earn himself a move to Manchester United... wait a minute! The speedy winger is one of several players to have risen from the flames of criticism this weekend with 16 passes completed in the opposition half to compliment his brave goal against QPR. No 9: Crystal Palace defender Joe Ledley right celebrates his goal against QPR a la Cristiano Ronaldo . No 8: Wilfried Zaha suffered a nasty collision with the goal post for his troubles of scoring against Rangers . 7. Brown Ideye, West Brom 39.5 The Baggies record 10million signing was almost offloaded for a cut-price fee in January but has come good with five league goals since the close of the transfer window. His latest, which claimed the match winner in Saturdays 1-0 victory over Stoke, ended a spell of four games without a goal. No 7:Brown Ideye scores the winer against Stoke, his fifth league goal since almost being sold in January . 6. Michael Carrick, Manchester United 38.3 Louis van Gaals Manchester United are simply better when Michael Carrick is in the side as the cultured midfielder showed in arguably their best performance of the season against his former club Tottenham on Sunday. Carrick netted a rare headed goal but making 42 of 50 attempted passes for a completion rate of 84 per cent was equally impressive from the former England international. No 6: Cheikhou Kouyate has been compared with Patrick Vieira and was impressive this weekend . 5. Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal 41.4 The Welsh midfielder prepared for Arsenals do-or-die Champions League showdown with Monaco on Tuesday with an all action performance in the 3-0 defeat of West Ham. Aaron Ramsey scored the Gunners second goal, provided an assist for Mathieu Flaminis third without ignoring his defensive responsibilities with four wining tackles and three interceptions to leave Arsenal fans believing miracles can happen at the Stade Louis II. No 10: Aaron Ramsey skids on his knees after scoring in an all action display against West Ham . 4. Marouane Fellaini, Manchester United 45.7 At one time, it seemed as if Marouane Fellainis only admirer at Old Trafford was the manager who signed him, David Moyes. But, despite being largely ignored by Van Gaal, the Belgium international has forced his way back into the side and received no less than a standing ovation after scoring a goal and keeping his passing tidy with a 78.6 per cent pass completion rate. No 4: Marouane Fellaini slots in a left footed shot during Manchester Uniteds best performance of the season . 3. Romelu Lukaku, Everton 47.6 Evertons record 28million summer recruit has come under criticism as Premier League clubs have come to terms with Roberto Martinezs tactics this season. Nonetheless, the former Chelsea battering ram has starred in Europe and taken his league goal tally into double figures with a strike supplemented by an assist in the Toffees 3-0 defeat of Newcastle. No 3: Romelu Lukaku made an assist and scored his 10th league goal of the season against Newcastle . 2. Christian Benteke, Aston Villa 54.7 Aston Villa were the biggest winners of the Premier League this weekend, which a 4-0 first half scoreline at Sunderland leading to Gus Poyets eventual departure from the Stadium of Light. Whereas a shortage of goals was their problem under the previous regime, Sherwood has them firing on all cylinders with Christian Benteke once more looking like the striker that terrorised defences in his first season. No 2: Nacer Chadli finally shone for Tottenham against QPR on Sunday . 1.Gabriel Agbonlahor, Aston Villa 49.6 The fleet footed forward tops this weeks PPI Performance Index after his electrifying performance against Sunderland that gives Aston Villa breathing space in the congested battle against relegation. He scored a goal but completing 25 of 28 passes, including 24 made in the opposition half, for a completion rate of almost 90 per cent is testament to the attacking verve that has returned to Villa Park. No 1: Gabriel Agbonlahor right not only scored but managed a pass completion rate of almost 90 per cent . 