Dean Smith and John Terry were influential in staying home, says Villa hitman Tammy Abraham

The Chelsea loanee was heavily linked with a move to West Midlands rivals Wolves in the January transfer window but decided to remain at Villa Park, where he is the Championship's joint-top goalscorer.

Abraham, 21, admitted he faced a 'big decision' when Premier League clubs came calling for his services but it was the influence of Villa's management – and his team-mates – that won over.

The frontman said: When Premier League (clubs) come for you it's a big decision. I chose to stay here, I believed in the manager and players, and the fans and the great stadium.

"I put everything into consideration. To stay here, my aim is to finish top goalscorer and I'd be over the moon with it.

"I feel like here was home. The boys made me feel at home straight away. The new gaffer came in after me and players like John Terry who I grew up watching and playing with at Chelsea.

"It feels like a big family with the fans, everyone supporting. It's a great team, great stadium, great staff.

"Dean Smith and John Terry to be fair. They called me every day! They said 'listen, we believe you'll score many goals here. We believe you could possibly take us up as well'.

"When a manager believes in you that deeply it gives you that confidence as well to go out there every game, do your best for the team, the staff, coaches and everyone who believes in you."

Abraham was unable to add to his 19 goals in Saturday's dull 0-0 draw at Reading, where Smith's side missed out on a chance to close the gap on the top six.

The England international would become the first Villa player since legend Peter Withe in 1980/81.

But he is looking beyond that are refuses to set a limit to what he can achieve in front of goal at Villa Park, with the ultimate team goal of reaching the top flight.

"Scoring goals is what I came here to do, it's what I love to do as well, I'm delighted to have my 18th and 19th goal. Wins make the goals even better," Abraham added.

"I think it's believing in myself. As I've come here I told myself 'listen, you're going to help the team as much as possible, do what you do best'.

"I've tried to get in the right areas and take my opportunities. I'm in a team where we've got fantastic players who create chances and want to score goals. We're very attacking-minded which helps me a lot.

"At the beginning I told myself if I get anywhere near what I got at Bristol City then I'd be happy.

"I'm so close now, I'd be over the moon to smash my record. I'll just keep believing and getting in the right areas."

The former Bristol City and Swansea loan man continued: "What's kept me going is I don't really set myself a limit, I keep striving for more.

"I would love to smash the 20 and touching 30s, that's my dream, but I take it step by step and just keep going trying to score."