Agbonlahor has been used up front on his own by manager Martin O'Neill for the majority of the time since John Carew was sidelined by a back problem.

But the England player has revelled in the role and is claiming his 11th goal of the campaign during Saturday's 2-1 win over West Brom, although it has been officially credited as an own goal by goalkeeper Scott Carson.

That win extended Villa's unbeaten Barclays Premier League run to nine games and kept them three points ahead of Arsenal in the battle for fourth spot.

Agbonlahor said: "The way we set out with 4-5-1 is more of an away formation - but it's been working - so why change it?

"(Being a lone striker) can be a lot of responsibility on my shoulders but I've played it for the England Under-21s so I'm used to it now and I can do a job there.

"I think I've had to improve parts of my game. When you are up there on your own, you've got to try and hold the ball up. You've got to be strong and lead from the front.

"It's not nice when you don't get the support but, when you get the support from the other players, it's good because you get a lot of chances.

"I think it gives the manager more options, the more formations you can play.

"I like being the one who is expected to score a lot of goals. It doesn't worry me at all. It makes me want to play better."

Villa are one of the in-form teams in the Premier League with 21 points from the last 27 but Agbonlahor is adamant Villa are thinking no higher than fourth spot.

He said: "We need to keep winning games. We have been getting through tough games and winning them and this was another one against West Brom.

"We are keeping our heads, trying to keep the pressure on Arsenal, trying to get into fourth position.

"We are just wanting to push on. If we get fourth it is a bonus. If not, we have still had a decent season."

Agbonlahor believes the goal against the Baggies should be given to him as his shot forced the error from Carson who allowed the ball to slip under his body and over the line.

He said: "I think they were looking to me to pass it or cross it but no-one was there so I just took a shot on goal.

"I am claiming the goal, definitely. I wasn't looking to pass it so I put a shot on goal and it went in.

"If that one counts, I've got 11 goals, the same as in the whole of last season, but I don't set targets. I'll just see what happens."

Former Albion skipper Curtis Davies scored the opener but made a point of not over celebrating despite being booed by the Baggies supporters.

Davies said: "I always said if I score against an old club, I would never celebrate. I have a lot of friends still at the club, I enjoyed my time at the club and, whatever feelings they have towards me, I can't feel the same way about the club.

"I'm not going to let myself down by going ballistic and trying to hurt them.

"I know they hate me, some of the fans, but for those genuine fans who believe my reasons for going were genuine then I want to show them the respect."

West Brom skipper Jonathan Greening is confident Carson will bounce back from his error which ultimately cost them the match.

Greening said: "Scott has saved us plenty of times this year. He has been a top man and a top goalkeeper and he will be a top England 'keeper for the rest of his career.

"He was gutted he made a mistake but he has been brilliant for us on many occasions this season. He apologised and that is the end of it and he did really well in the second half and made a great save (from Steve Sidwell.)

"Scott has the character to bounce back. He is a top, top man. He has got great enthusiasm for training and nothing like that is going to be bother him.

"He will be back on Tuesday in the FA Cup replay at Peterborough doing his normal stuff. Everyone makes mistakes and he will soon bounce back. It won't even bother him."