Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor is determined not to suffer from second season blues this term.

He told the Villa website: "You don't want to go backwards, you want to look forwards. I want to try to continue where I left off. I want to keep playing in the team and scoring goals from the club, and hopefully I can have a similar season this year.

"When last season started, everyone wanted to play. I wanted to play, so you can't say that I wasn't expecting it.

"There will be pressure, definitely, because people don't want me to be a one season wonder. Steven Davis had a great season when he first came into the team, and he started last season really well, so you can't really say that he was a one season wonder.

"I will keep working hard though, and hopefully it will be the same as last season. I will keep my head down and stay focused.

"All the strikers are working hard and want to play, so it is a case of having to fight for your place by catching the eye in training or in games. If you are not in the team, and three of the five of us won't be, then you have to work even harder."