Paul Lambert is hopeful that Christian Benteke will be able to play a part of Aston Villa’s Premier League match against Tottenham this weekend. Benteke injured his hip against Norwich in September and has since been ruled out, but has recently been called up to the Belgium side, he sat on the bench for the two qualifiers against Croatia and Wales.
“He trained the last couple of days with Belgium and was on the bench which indicates that he felt pretty good,” said Lambert.
“Our medical team spoke to theirs – as you do with every player – and everyone seems to have come back not too bad.
“I don’t know if he’ll be ready for Tottenham. He’ll know himself how he’s feeling. All I know is he was on the bench last night.
“He trained for a couple of days and hadn’t had a reaction, but that might change, I’ll just wait and see.” – Paul Lambert
Since Benteke’s injury, Kozak and Helenius have both led the line, together they’ve only contributed 1 goal to the team. I expect Kozak to start against Tottenham, but to be replaced by Benteke in the second half.
Great to have The Beast available again but personally I’d out him on the bench. We’ve taken 7 points from the 2.5 games he’s missed. Keep it the same and throw him on if and when needed.
Might give him a kick up the backside
Why does he need a kick up the backside exactly?
Because he acts like billy big bollocks and needs bringing down to earth a bit. Kick up backside wring choice of words
He is billy big bollocks that’s why. Without him we would be playing Bournemouth away this weekend.
He signed a new contract with us though didn’t he?
He will leave us, its inevitable, but until then I will be 100 percent behind Billy Big Bollocks as he is the best centre forward we have seen in claret and blue in decades – so I suggest you enjoy him while he’s in B6 and stop speculating that he’s upsetting the dressing room
I don’t think Kozak will play though, he’s been really poor recently. Unless Agbonlahor is given a central role
Good thinking B6, it also would gee up the lads knowing he’s around, nice to see he is up and running again, how’s the other long term injured, should be back by now.?
Does anyone know why there are no fixtures in middle sat of nov to accommodate a poxy England friendly. What the fuck is all that about who gives a shit it’s a 150 yrs since fa. It should stand for fuck all coz that’s all we ever get
Completely agree b6. If and when needed only.
Would love to see benteke having to fight for his place just hope kojak comes good and keeps him on the bench though can’t see it happening.
Give him time, he’s shown Internationally what he can do, he’s shown in Europe what he can do and before last season showed in Italy what he can do. He has the ability.
Not another give em time apologist
Love how you call everyone an apologist like you’re insulting someone…
But if you wanna call me a “give em time apologist”, then I guess I am, and happy to be one.
I just need time to digest that !!
I mean come on, players like Osvaldo, Ramirez, Coutinho have all claimed the EPL is far more physical than Serie A, and then Osvaldo and Tevez have both claimed that Serie A’s more technical. There’s a big difference between the two and the game between Arsenal and Napoli showed that as Napoli’s one of the quicker teams and they were outrun in every sense of the word.
I have no doubt Kozak needs time and will come good, just like Spurs with all of their new players, Chelsea with the likes of Eto’o, and so on.
Problem with kozac is the the problem we had with milosiv no pace whatsoever
It’s true, he’s slow, but that’s the thing that he can still bully a tired defender. Or he can bully a slow defender.
The day Kozak keeps Benteke out of the team is the day we realize we should have sold him for 20m!! If he is fit enough, he will start.
However…do I bring back into the dream team to replace Lukaku….that’s a more difficult question!
I wouldn’t, not really difficult. Lukaku’s in great form right now, Benteke’s coming back from injury and Everton face Hull City at home while Villa face Spurs. Lukaku’s an easy choice right now.
No Kozak’s never going to be as good as Benteke is but if he finds form, then we have 2 brilliant strikers and that would be amazing to finally have.
True but kozac will never be more than an impact player
I don’t doubt that, but that’s a good reason why he was bought. Being physical just like being pacy against tired legs is a huge plus that Kozak brings. He does the whole starting thing well at the International level, but he’s typically an impact club sub.
So Kozac is basically Emile Heskey? Ouch, that doesn’t bode well.
Heskeys probably slightly better ouch
He’s just another Heskey right?
I really wanted Kozak to hit some form, that way Benteke would be more motivated for Villa. I think Kozak will need time to adapt but at the same time, I’d also like to see Helenius given a go.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Benteke has a “must start every game if fit” clause in his contract.
Either way, if he’s fit, he’ll start, imo.
He’s not an impact player and needs to grind defences down; something he excels at.
Even if I were big enough, I’d hate to be opposing him.
As for Kozak ever being as good as Benteke, well, let’s hope so, eh?
Guess he could be a late bloomer, but he’s never scored more than 11 goals in a season in the 2nd Division of the Czech Republic league, though his time at Lazio was as a impact sub, while Benteke’s first starting season he scored 13, then 6, then 16 then to us with 19. Kozak’s most likely going to continue being the impact player he always has been.