Benteke gets boss' backing

Paul Lambert is adamant that Christian Benteke 'will be fine' despite his late miss at Fulham which cost Aston Villa a point.

The Villa chief snapped up the Belgium international from Genk during the transfer window for fee in the region of £7million and caused a stir when he opted to start him ahead of record signing Darren Bent in matches against West Brom and Tottenham. However, Lambert left Benteke on the bench at Craven Cottage on Saturday with Bent getting the nod ahead of him in a partnership with Gabby Agbonlahor. Benteke did come off the bench to replace Bent during the 1-0 defeat and, while he did put himself about, another costly miss from Charles N'Zogbia's cross is what the fans will remember. It comes on the back of a wayward header in front of a gaping goal in the defeat at Tottenham earlier this month, but Lambert is in no doubt that the 21-year-old will come good for Villa. "Yes, he's a handful there's no doubt, he changes the dynamics of the team at times," said Lambert in the Birmingham Mail. "He's got years to go in his career, this is only the start. "From where I was standing I don't know how far away it was. It was a chance, but he'll be a big player for us. He's in one hell of a national side at the minute, he'll keep learning and he'll be fine."