Gabriel Agbonlahor, the Aston Villa forward, has set his sights on breaking into the England squad after giving another demonstration of his outstanding potential over the weekend.

Agbonlahor produced a superb piece of control and a razor-sharp finish to score the decisive second goal - his third in four matches against the Toffees - as Martin O’Neill’s side climbed to eighth in the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Everton.

The England Under-21 player is determined to emulate the example of Gareth Barry, Ashley Young and Scott Carson and force his way into Steve McClaren’s plans.

“It helps you to improve your game when you are playing for the under-21s against the best young players from other countries,” Agonlahor said. “As an under-21 player you have to be aiming to break into the full England squad and that’s what I am doing. To play for your country is everyone’s dream.

“Gareth, Ashley and Scott have all been rewarded for performing consistently for Villa by getting an England call and that’s what I have to do.”

Agbonlahor has revealed his desire to play as an out-and-out striker if given the choice by O’Neill and he may be given that opportunity, with John Carew facing a spell on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.

“Up front is my main position,” he said. “That is where I want to play. If I get the chances, I think I can stick them away so you never know how many goals I could get. As a striker, you want to be scoring goals.

“But I’ll play anywhere for the team and I’ve got to learn to be versatile so, if I can play two positions, it is all for the good. If I get put on the right or left, I don’t mind.

“The gaffer has been telling me to get stuck in, that I need to be like a team player really, not just getting forward but defending as well when I am playing right midfield. I think I am doing that.”