• Premier League

Lambert: Benteke not up to standard

ESPN staff
December 4, 2013
Christian Benteke has not hit the heights of the previous campaign © Getty Images
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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes star striker Christian Benteke has become a "victim of his own success".

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Benteke, an €8 million buy from Genk last year, starred in his debut season for the club, scoring 23 goals in all competitions.

However, his follow-up campaign has not yet hit those heights as the 23-year-old has battled injury and poor form.

In 12 appearances this season, Benteke has scored only five goals and has not hit the back of the net since the home loss to Newcastle September.

"I'm pretty sure Christian's a victim of his own success but he's created that himself," Lambert told reporters.

"There's nobody he can blame for that other than himself because he set a really high standard for himself and, when you fall below it, that's what can happen.

"The challenge is for him to bounce back."

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