Roberto Di Matteo insists Jordan Ayew is staying at Aston Villa

Jordan Ayew is going down with the ship - or so Roberto Di Matteo says.

While many of Aston Villa's supporters expect to lose Ayew during the summer transfer window after the Villans were relegated from the Premier League last season, Di Matteo insisted Friday that the Ghanaian forward will remain with the club as it begins life in the Championship.

"Jordan Ayew is going to be part of our plans and is going to stay here," Di Matteo said. "His qualities will shine."

Ayew was something of a bright spot in what was nothing short of a humiliating season for Villa, tallying seven goals through 30 Premier League appearances. The 24-year-old joined the Villans on a five-year contract from Lorient when Tim Sherwood was trying to rebuild the attack following Christian Benteke's departure from the club.