Leon Bailey (out on loan to AS Roma)

[Mellin]

Didn't Benteke hit the gound running? That's how I remember it. Not that my memory should be in any way relied on.

[Villan82]

Didn't Benteke hit the gound running? That's how I remember it. Not that my memory should be in any way relied on.

Scores on his debut and then missed a good few sitters. I think people queries why Bent was getting in ahead of him. Came really good around the February of that season, I think, as did Delph

[LeeB]

Didn't Benteke hit the gound running? That's how I remember it. Not that my memory should be in any way relied on.

Scores on his debut and then missed a good few sitters. I think people queries why Bent was getting in ahead of him. Came really good around the February of that season, I think, as did Delph

Bent got injured early in the League Cup game at Norwich and it went from there.

[PeterWithesShin]

Benteke was panned by loads on here and elsewhere, called things like donkey, useless etc. And the oft repeated "Bent would have scored that". It was the Albion away game in Jan where everything clicked for him. Before then there were a number of glimpses of his ability but nothing consistent.

[N'ZMAV]

we was a pretty poor side until the later part of that season, which didn't help him.

[Olof's Beard]

we was a pretty poor side until the later part of that season, which didn't help him.

That's a bit chicken and egg I think. Benteke being much better made the team much better.

He definitely didn't click until the new year, once he got on a roll he was always hard to stop. At least while he was with us.

[brian green]

Christian Benteke in his prime is one of my most treasured Villa memories from a long lifetime of being a Villa fan.

[tomd2103]

Yeah we wouldn't want to rely on the player who scored one and assisted the other, that would be daft.

He tries stuff, he's exciting to watch and then he'll maybe go too far or hold it too long. I like.

He's the only proper wide player we currently have and is visibly blowing out of his arse after 70 minutes.  If we are going to continue to play with the current formation, we surely need at least another option for that position don't we?

[RichardBatchelor]

Christian Benteke in his prime is one of my most treasured Villa memories from a long lifetime of being a Villa fan.

Totally agree.

[eamonn]

Wasn't it his performance at Anfield when we won 3-1 just before Xmas 2012 (and just before our horrific month of results) where he ripped Liverpool apart, that announced his prowess?

[Brend'Watkins]

Yeah we wouldn't want to rely on the player who scored one and assisted the other, that would be daft.

He tries stuff, he's exciting to watch and then he'll maybe go too far or hold it too long. I like.

He's the only proper wide player we currently have and is visibly blowing out of his arse after 70 minutes.  If we are going to continue to play with the current formation, we surely need at least another option for that position don't we?

He was good last night. My only issue with him is his reluctance to release the ball after he’s beaten the 2nd player when the opportunity presents itself as was the case last night on a few occasions. Can’t knock his overall contribution to the win though. It was crucial.

[dave.woodhall]

Christian Benteke in his prime is one of my most treasured Villa memories from a long lifetime of being a Villa fan.

Totally agree.

The most complete all-round performance from a Villa centre-forward I've ever seen was his hat-trick against QPR.

[tomd2103]

Yeah we wouldn't want to rely on the player who scored one and assisted the other, that would be daft.

He tries stuff, he's exciting to watch and then he'll maybe go too far or hold it too long. I like.

He's the only proper wide player we currently have and is visibly blowing out of his arse after 70 minutes.  If we are going to continue to play with the current formation, we surely need at least another option for that position don't we?

He was good last night. My only issue with him is his reluctance to release the ball after he’s beaten the 2nd player when the opportunity presents itself as was the case last night on a few occasions. Can’t knock his overall contribution to the win though. It was crucial.

Have to disagree Bren.  It's a tough one because he has ultimately scored a goal and played a part in the other, but he continues to give the ball away far too often and make really poor decisions which stunt our attacking play.

He's not the only one like that and if we are going to move on we are going to need better options in certain areas.

[nigel]

Christian Benteke in his prime is one of my most treasured Villa memories from a long lifetime of being a Villa fan.

Agree
Benteke in his prime for us is possibly the best Centre Forward I’ve seen at Villa

He’d be fighting that out with Keith Leonard and Andy Gray

[tomd2103]

Christian Benteke in his prime is one of my most treasured Villa memories from a long lifetime of being a Villa fan.

Agree
Benteke in his prime for us is possibly the best Centre Forward I’ve seen at Villa

He’d be fighting that out with Keith Leonard and Andy Gray

Yorke in the couple of seasons before he left would have to be in the mix.