Premiership: Vassell staying at Villa - agent

Aston Villa striker Darius Vassell’s agent Phil Smith has insisted the new England hero is ‘‘going nowhere’’.

Vassell shot to prominence after his spectacular equaliser for his country on his debut in last week’s draw with Holland in Amsterdam.

There have been reports Vassell was being targeted by other agents looking to make a quick killing by off-loading the player in a megabucks move to another club.

But Smith, who runs the First Artist Corporation, is adamant Vassell will remain one of his clients and is happy to stay at Villa, where he started as a schoolboy nearly a decade ago.

Smith insisted no talks were being planned with Villa over a new contract, with Vassell only 18 months into a four-year deal.

‘‘Contrary to the reports, there is no ‘race’ for Darius,’’ said Smith, who also represents Villa stars Lee Hendrie and Lloyd Samuel.

‘‘We have had a contract with him for the last three years and are continuing to represent him.

‘‘That goal (in Holland) won’t change things that much for Darius. One swallow doesn’t make a summer. He is on a fairly long-term contract anyway.

‘‘There will be a lot of media hype but there’s certainly no talks planned with the club over his future.’’

Vassell, who has scored nine goals for Villa this season, has already indicated he is happy to remain with the club.

Meanwhile, Villa defender Ozalan Alpay is targeting the home Premiership clash with West Ham on March 2 for a return to action.

The Turkish international has been sidelined since he suffered ankle ligament damage against Leicester in early December.

Alpay, 28, rejected the chance last month to have surgery and said: ‘‘I’m really hopeful about West Ham.’’