Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke once again proved his worth last night with a 2nd half hat-trick in a super 6-1 defeat of Sunderland. If ever a shot in the arm was needed for Aston Villa, this was it. The win lifts them 5 points above the relegation zone with just a few games to play. They are now on the same points as Newcastle and Sunderland, in the battle to avoid the drop.
Somehow, Christian Benteke now has 18 league goals for a club that has, at times, looked utterly bereft of hope. That’s 18 of the 42 league goals that the entire club has mustered this season. Aston Villa fans will know that, even if they do beat the drop this season, they will struggle to hold onto Benteke beyond the summer, with clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal on the prowl.
One of the current golden generation of Belgian internationals, Benteke isn’t just good, he looks like a great in the making. He ticks so many boxes that he could play anywhere in the world. As we know, he’s not just big and powerful but has the touch of an artist – a combination of talents that is so hard to find and, when it is located, it usually costs a hell of a lot to obtain.
We aren’t trying to piss on Aston Villa’s fire by touting Benteke around the clubs. Lord knows you have had precious little to cherish until last night. We are just reflecting the state of the game when we say that Villa are likely to find it hard to hold onto him. In so many ways, football mirrors the class systems of the world, where the elite minority have a huge percentage of the overall wealth while the majority live on relative scraps.
The romantic fan would love to see Benteke lead the line for Aston Villa for another decade. But with Manchester United and Arsenal, among others, always looking to strengthen up front, Paul Lambert will need to pull off a real coup to keep the player. Aston Villa seem to be going in the right direction, but Benteke would have to be very patient if he is enjoy trophies at his current club.
But, before you get too riled, consider it as a win win situation. If Benteke stays, Aston Villa continue to grow with him. But if he leaves Villa can spend the considerable proceeds on 3 other good players. Benteke may go this summer, but he certainly isn’t going to leave cheaply. Lambert can ask the Manchester United’s and Arsenal’s of this world for £20m for this star in the making.
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mungo berry
Apr 30, 2013 at 10:11 am
£20m is not enough, £30 is closer, possibly even more if there are a few teams interested . Really can’t see us letting him go for less than that. Consider Milner was valued at £24m, Carroll £35m, Bent £24m. Benteke is younger, better and proven Prem quality.