Benteke injury update

[Malandro]

We would miss Gabby more, certainly away from Villa Park. He is completely and utterly essential to the way we play, and our next 2 forward signings have to to be guile and pace.

I bet we'll get those forwards before another defender

[Villafirst]

This season is turning pear-shaped with the loss of key players. I'm not convinced that Kozak can fill in for Benteke at the moment.

[Mortimer's Bear]

Rest up big man, come back stronger and bag the goals to fire us up the league.

[PaulWinch again]

4-6 weeks is ok.

[Clampy]

It could have been a lot worse and the international break will obviously help.

[supertom]

Its worrying because the earlier you start whacking points on the board, the better. Benteke is our only goal threat. So somehow or another our defence has to really improve. In 6 weeks time when he's back, we could be dipping our toes in shit creek and waiting for Benteke to come back with our paddle.

[fredm]

This season is turning pear-shaped with the loss of key players. I'm not convinced that Kozak can fill in for Benteke at the moment.

I thought Kozak did ok last night considering a) the service he was provided with was usually rubbish (there was one exception when he ran in the gap between the centre back and full back and was spotted by, I think, Vlaar); and b) he might as well have had the pox given the gap between him and any other Villa player.  Not one got alongside him during the 45 mins he was on, so that he could play a 1-2 or run off them.

[Holte L2]

If we have an option to recall Bent, I'd definitely to be doing so.

[PeterWithesShin]

Paul Lambert has confirmed that Christian Benteke will be out for four-six weeks with his hip injury.

Lambert revealed the news was better than he first feared after results of a scan emerged this evening.

Villa boss Lambert said Benteke is already feeling better and will work hard to return as soon as he can.

Lambert also revealed Benteke would not need an operation, with time the great healer in this situation.

He said: "It's not as bad as we feared it was going to be.

"It's maybe four, five, six weeks or so.

"You have that international break which certainly helps us.

"But he's feeling a lot better to be fair. We will have to wait and see.

"We spoke to the medical people before and they give the best and worst case scenarios. You are never quite sure until you hear from the professor to find out how it is.

"But he's feeling a lot better."

Asked whether an operation was needed, he continued: "It's just a muscle injury. It's nothing like that. It's not too severe.

"We will try to get him back as quick as possible."

Lambert said Benteke's loss can be another striker's gain as the likes of Libor Kozak, Nicklas Helenius and Jordan Bowery come into his thinking for the next month of action.

He added: "They have to relish the challenge of that.

"Libor won a lot of aerial balls. It was tough because Tottenham are right on you.

"But I thought he coped really fine. Then we will have other ones back at the weekend which will certainly help.

"I think a few will be back. Ciaran was left out because he was feeling hamstring problems on Saturday.

"Andi has played a lot of games.

"Gabby, Fabian and Antonio will hopefully all be back."

[eastie]

@bentekechris20: thank you everyone for the support I already walking without crutch I'd be back soon #GodIsGreat

[LeeB]

@bentekechris20: thank you everyone for the support I already walking without crutch I'd be back soon #GodIsGreat

#yesyouare

[saunders_heroes]

@bentekechris20: thank you everyone for the support I already walking without crutch I'd be back soon #GodIsGreat

What's with the "God is great" crap?

[Clampy]

@bentekechris20: thank you everyone for the support I already walking without crutch I'd be back soon #GodIsGreat

What's with the "God is great" crap?

He's religious.

[dekko]

@bentekechris20: thank you everyone for the support I already walking without crutch I'd be back soon #GodIsGreat

What's with the "God is great" crap?

He's religious.

When he scores, it ain't the floodlights he's pointing to

[Legion]

Hopefully back sooner than expected