Zoltan Gera has emphasised his desire to remain with West Bromwich Albion, despite reports that he is angling for a move to a new club.

The Hungary international midfield player, who scored Albion's goal in the 1-0 victory against Everton yesterday, still has 21/2 years left of his existing contract but he has attracted the attention of clubs throughout Europe.

Aston Villa are believed to be one of those clubs but Gera has confirmed that he will remain at The Hawthorns, even if the team are relegated from the Premiership in May.

The threat of relegation is diminishing slightly, however, after a fine run of form that has seen Albion draw level on points with Southampton, who occupy 17th position.

And while Gera was basking in the glory of his headed goal that defeated Everton, he was telling his team-mates that he has no intention of leaving Albion.

That was music to the ears of Geoff Horsfield, the Albion striker, who relishes being being part of such a strong squad.

"Zoltan has told the players that he wants to stay at West Bromwich Albion," Horsfield said. "That is good news. We need players of this quality at the club."

Gera, aged 27, joined Albion in the summer in a £1.5 million move from Ferencvaros of Hungary. He has scored seven goals in 27 international appearances for his national team. He has played 35 matches for Albion.

Bryan Robson, the Albion manager, has played down suggestions that his team have the momentum in the battle to avoid relegation. Albion are still in the bottom three but are producing the form of a team in better shape.

"We are on the shoulders of everyone," Robson said. " Fulham beating Portsmouth has brought Portsmouth into the equation as well, which is what we wanted after this weekend.

"We have given ourselves half a chance. If the boys keep playing the way they are for the next seven games then it is going to give us a chance.

"I think this is our most important day of the season. With two teams losing around us and games running out, it was important we closed the gap and got to a stage where if the others lose and we win, then we go above them.

"It was important we got to a position like that this weekend. The boys are very confident at the moment and have got a belief about themselves because we are on a good run.

"They know that they have been playing well over the last couple of months. We do not feel we had got our just rewards in that time - but at this moment in time we are. I think teams will be looking over their shoulders at us."

Robson was pleased with the battling qualities of his side's performance, in contrast to the 4-1 demolition of Charlton at The Valley in their previous outing, which was a rather more straightforward victory.

"The lads put in a different type of performance to [that] against Charlton," Robson said. "Against Charlton they played some good football and created good chances with movement and passing.

"But we knew against Everton it would be a hard fight.

"We were up for the fight, battled against them and worked very hard and then counter-attacked very well in the second half.

"Months ago we would have wilted when people were putting balls into the box and we wouldn't have competed as well as today and that is why we kept a clean sheet.

"We've been in this situation all season and the lads have coped with it well. The other teams that have dropped down closer to Southampton, Crystal Palace, Norwich and ourselves now have pressure on them which they haven't really experienced all season. Hopefully, that will pay off for us.

"The lads are confident and have a good belief about themselves because we are on a good run. It's not just about three wins in four games because we have been playing well and not getting our just rewards. But, at this moment in time, we are.

"From the last ten games, we have collected more points than anyone else at the bottom of the league. It's just important that we keep that run going now."