Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry to pledge his future to the midlands club.

England Under-21 striker Agbonlahor admitted he would be unlikely to look to move away from Villa after making massive improvements under Martin O'Neill during the past two seasons.

And O'Neill is ready to offer new deals to the likes of Barry, Agbonlahor and Ashley Young this summer after helping Villa finish sixth in the Premier League.

Barry, a target for Liverpool, could be the most difficult to hold on to but Agbonlahor believes Villa can break into the top four and provide him with the Champions League football he desires.

"It's important to keep Gareth but it's important to keep a number of players," Agbonlahor said.

"The gaffer knows how key Barry has been to us this season but you can't stop what can happen so hopefully he will stay because it's important.

"Gareth has improved as well. He has been on top form for the last two seasons and, if he can stay, it will be a plus for us.

"Breaking into the top four in the next few years is what we want. We know it's going to be hard but, if we get the right squad, then we're capable of doing anything we want to do.

"Hopefully we can push on next season."

Agbonlahor was linked last season with a £15 million move to Arsenal but he insisted he is keen to keep improving under O'Neill.

"Villa is where I enjoy my football. I'm getting chances in the first team," he added.

"It's difficult to imagine I could have the same improvement anywhere else.

"I have to give the gaffer credit for it because it's only since he's been here that I've made those improvements. Hopefully I can stay in the team and carry on improving.

"It's just what the gaffer can do and why he's rated so highly because people have come in and played their best football in the last two seasons."

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