Aston Villa: Benteke Carrying the Villains Up the Table

Where would so and so be without a certain player gets asked all the time in sports. In the case of Aston Villa, it is scary for their fans to think about where they would be without Christian Benteke. They certainly would not be out of the relegation zone and in the Capital One Cup if he weren’t with them.

Benteke has five goals in 12 Premier League games this season, which is the most on the team. In addition to that, he has bagged another three in the Capital One Cup. He has contributed on many more and is always a handful. Its not just the smaller clubs that he has been bullying either. In a game earlier this season against Manchester United, he tormented Chris Smalling all game. In the last match on the road at Liverpool he put on a show. He scored twice and helped set up Andreas Weimann (who has also been very good) with a wonderful back-heel pass.

Benteke has everything that you would want in a striker. He has amazing strength and it is extremely rare to see him get knocked off the ball. His speed and quickness is also deceptive. He is constantly moving off the ball and gets away from defenders before they even realize he is gone. Most importantly, he has great awareness and finishing skills. Benteke is always hovering around the net, like a vulture. He gets into good positions all the time and is very efficient around the net. This combination of qualities makes him a lethal striker.

At every level, Benteke has faced skepticism and doubters about his abilities. Well there shouldn’t be any doubts anymore. The man can play and there is no disputing that fact. Benteke has proven his critics wrong and has shown that he thoroughly deserves his transfer to the EPL, as well as his starting role with the national team. Its scary to think that he is only recently turned 22 and has so much potential.

Where would Aston Villa be without him? That’s a question Villa will probably face sooner rather then later, as the big clubs in the EPL will surely be looking into acquiring his services in the near future.