Gabriel Agbonlahor has pledged his future to Aston Villa amid speculation linking him with a £15million move to Arsenal.

The 21-year-old from Erdington has started to attract interest from the leading clubs after a sparkling start to the current campaign which has brought him five goals so far.

But the former academy product is happy to remain with his hometown club with whom he signed a new four-year deal at the tail end of last season.

Agbonlahor said: "I’m flattered to hear things like being linked with Arsenal, but it’s pure speculation. I don’t want to say too much because it’s just a rumour, but I’m playing for my hometown club, things are going really well and I’m happy at Villa.

"I’m a local lad who is enjoying my football. There is no reason why I want to leave Villa."

Agbonlahor broke into the Villa starting line-up last season and quickly made a big impact on manager Martin O’Neill.

He has carried on in the same vein during the current campaign and O’Neill believes he will soon force his way into the senior England set-up.