Gabby Agbonlahor focuses on Aston Villa's team ethic

The forward has netted eight times as Villa battle the drop this season – including two crucial strikes in his last two games.

Goals in the victories against Reading and QPR handed Villa the initiative with the survival fight set to go to the wire.

Christian Benteke, who is reportedly ready to commit his future to Villa should they survive, has smashed 17 goals while Andi Weimann has 11.

Agbonlahor has been deployed in a wide role to accommodate central striker Benteke but insisted the team comes first.

He said: "People will see your goals (and judge you) but they don't see the position you are playing and they don't realise the job you're doing for the team. I think that's why it doesn't bother me what people say because if I'm playing in a certain role I know I'm doing a job for the team rather than myself.

"If you ask Andi who is a striker as well he will say the same because his preferred position is up front. Football has changed though and so have formations. Teams are setting up and you just get on with it.

"If you are asked to play somewhere for the team you just get on with it and do the best you can.

"If you ask a lot of people since I have come through, I think I have learned a lot since my debut. Long may it continue and I carry on learning more and more."

Agbonlahor has already beaten last season's goal tally of six but he admitted he has been forced to adapt under boss Paul Lambert.

"It is a different season and it's been different to what it was before with the whole team," said the 26-year-old. "You have different roles. Three or four years ago I was playing as a striker - then you get judged on your goals. The last few seasons I have been playing more and more as a winger.

"For me I'm just happy to be in the side so wherever I get told to play I will do it."