Gabby Agbonlahor has paid tribute to manager Martin O'Neill after signing a new four-year deal with Aston Villa last week.

The striker told avfc.co.uk: "If you look at what I've done since the gaffer came to the club, he's been an inspiration to me.

"I'm enjoying my work with him and I think he's making me improve as a player and hopefully I can keep doing that.

"He's shown a lot of belief in me and that's really important. Even if I've had bad games he's still played me. He knows what players can do and he knows what I can do.

"Even when I had the run without scoring at the start of the year he just stuck with me and kept encouraging me.

"Hopefully I can keep producing for him week in and week out. That's my aim this season - to do it week in, week out.

"I think my game has definitely improved over the last year. If you look at my performances I think I'm still improving as a player and I've got a lot more to achieve. I'm not at my peak yet.

"I'm only 21 and I don't think anyone's at their peak at that age. Hopefully over the next four years I can keep improving year by year.

"It's nice to get my future sorted and to be here for the next four years means a lot. Hopefully I can keep improving and then I can stay for longer."