Aston Villa attacker Nicolo Zaniolo insists he's never bet on football.

Zaniolo is being investigated by Italian prosecutors over alleged illegal betting. He was released by Italy's squad this week amid the case being launched.

He has already spoken to investigators and has been quoted by O Jogo speaking to the Italian press.

"I never bet, much less on football games," Zaniolo stated. "I played on online platforms that I didn't know were illegal. It was just poker and blackjack. Nothing else.

"I'm very sorry because things at Aston Villa and the Italian national team were finally going well"