Delfouneso ready to battle

Delfouneso: Waiting in the wings

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Nathan Delfouneso insists he would rather challenge for a first-team spot at Aston Villa than go out on loan.

The England Under-19 striker burst onto the scene with two goals in the Europa League last season and was also on the scoresheet in a rare FA Cup start against Blackburn on 2nd January.

John Carew, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey currently stand above him in the pecking order at Villa Park but Delfouneso is content to play the waiting game.

He said: "Can I challenge regularly for a first-team spot? I hope so. It is not down to me though, it is down to the gaffer.

"But I have faith in my ability that I can step up and produce.

"The boys are playing well, and I have to wait my time and wait for my turn, and hope the chance will come sooner rather than later.

"In most games so far, when I have started, I have scored and hopefully I can keep that going. I am here as a striker to score goals and that is what I am expecting to do."

Opportunities

Delfouneso added: "Has the manager talked about me going out on loan? No. I am happy at the moment.

"Obviously, I want to play more and hopefully I get my opportunities but I'm going to work hard to try and get in the team here.

"We've got three quality international strikers who have been playing well all season so I can't complain. I've got to wait my turn.

"I don't find it difficult playing in the reserves. A game is a game whether in front of 200 people or 30,000.

"You go and do your best and hopefully play well and move on."