No Villa future for striker Nathan Delfouneso

The claret and blues striker is on loan at Coventry and out of contract at Villa Park in June but is yet to hear anything from the club.

He has only made one Villa appearance under Paul Lambert – against Everton in August 2012 – before being twice loaned to Blackpool.

Delfouneso joined Coventry until the end of the season last month and knows his Villa days look numbered.

"I knew the situation when I went back (after his Blackpool loan ended in January). I would have loved to have the opportunity to prove I could play," said the 23-year-old.

"Over the years a lot of players have come through and people might have questioned what I was doing and my attitude. That's never been the case I have always looked to do my best in everything I do.

"I'm not going to put blame on anyone but they will have their say and I'll have mine. I loved my time at Villa.

"When I came through a lot was said about me and I would have loved to do that with Villa. In the end I didn't get the opportunity which would have helped me case."

Delfouneso has missed the Sky Blues' last two games with a thigh injury but is hopeful of being fit for their League One clash with Shrewsbury on Sunday.

And the hitman is desperate to play again to live up to the hype which followed him when he was younger.

"A lot of people will say, and it's true, I've been around for a long time," said Delfouneso, who has scored nine goals in 49 games for the claret and blues, although just 14 were starts. "I came through at Villa when I was 17 and for whatever reason things haven't worked out. I would have loved to break through and realise the potential and hype as I was coming up.

"It's definitely time I need to be playing consistently because the more I play the better I get.

"I have got massive faith in my ability and it's down to me to prove that. I have an opportunity to play here and hopefully I can prove I am the player people thought I was."