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Raheem Sterling credits Sergio Aguero for inspring fine first season at City

Raheem Sterling has improved his scoring with a little help from Manchester City teammate Sergio Aguero.

The 21-year-old England international scored his 11th goal of the season in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Sterling has been criticised for his finishing in the past but he has already equalled his best tally at previous club Liverpool last season before his controversial £44million switch in the summer.

And with 10 Premier League games remaining and a potential Champions League run, Sterling is hoping to extend his record even further, though he wouldn't reveal his target.

He told reporters: "It isn't near my target. But it's a personal target, not to put in the press.

"With 10 games to go I have matched my record in terms of goals at Liverpool, which is 11 so far. Hopefully I can go on and reach the target I set myself for my first season.

"I have been working on my finishing -- it's something I want to do. Obviously we have players in the team like Sergio who you can look at and improve your game, and it's no different for me.

"Every day I'm trying to improve the quality of my play, and hopefully I can continue.

"He is a world-class striker and someone I can look up to, so it's always nice to have someone like him you can watch and see how they finish."

The victory over Villa rounded off a mixed week for the forward. He won the first medal of his career against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup on Sunday but endured a miserable first to return Anfield as City were beaten 3-0.

Sterling was substituted at half-time after an ineffective first-half performance and he admitted he has to take criticism for his form on the chin.

He added: "That's a good thing, I don't mind that. As long as I'm helping my team, I'm happy. If I'm not doing that, then people are entitled to criticise me.

"That's the enjoyment of being a footballer. I look forward to the big games and hopefully I can score a few more in those big games.

"As long as it's the big-game pressure I'm getting stick for, I don't mind."