Life without Benteke?

Article by Aston Villa Correspondent Stephen Attridge

With a just few minutes to go against Sunderland, and a scoreline of 0-0, Aston Villa make a substitution. Suddenly the number 20 is held up. Surely not! The guy who kept us in the division last year? The one man team...

There were not too many groans to be heard from the villa faithful and the replacement- Kozak is starting to really look like a premier league player. There have also been rumours on various sites this week that Lambert has flown out to Holland to look at a 6ft 3in centre forward who plays for PSV Eindhoven. Guess what, he's 20 years old.

I just wonder... Does Lambert know that Benteke is on his way next month? Liverpool may well be on high alert following the recent injury to Sturridge and Arsenal is a club that Benteke is said to be very fond of.

But then we have heard all this before.

I think we were all amazed that Lambert was able to persuade Benteke to sign a new contract in the summer, when all hope looked lost. It was a stroke of genius from Lambert because whatever happens now, it means that villa can charge the earth for Benteke as there is a lengthy period left on his contract. Also if he does actually honour his contract, then villa will have his services for a good few years.

The most worrying thing currently is that he is playing like a frustrated forward, and not offering as much to the team as last season. Or is he playing like a man who is on the move? Time will tell.

Short term Lambert has a tricky call, Kozak after all cost the same money as Benteke.
My view however, is that he's still very young and learning the game and that we have a lot to thank him for.

I'd play him through the goal drought and wait for him to come good because we know the ability is there. It's Benteke for me, let's make the most of it while we have him...

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