Benteke has 'frightening potential' - Lambert

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has the potential to "be anything he wants", according to boss Paul Lambert.

The 22-year-old Belgian was instrumental in Villa's 3-1 at Liverpool on Saturday, scoring two and setting up Andreas Weimann for another.

"I don't want too much pressure on him but he has the potential to be one of the best," said Lambert.

"The potential for someone as young as that is frightening. He can be anything he wants," Lambert told BBC WM."



"Not many push him off the ball. Whether it's Gabby Agbonlahor or Andi Weimann, everybody loves playing beside him. And he's a top lad as well."

Belgium forward Benteke, signed from Genk on transfer deadline day in August for a fee of around £7m, has still only scored five Premier League goals for Villa this season.

But Saturday's sublime backheel in front of the Kop to set up Weimann for Villa's second goal was perhaps the moment that made the football world wake up and realise what a big star the Midlands club have on their hands.

"That was a world-class goal," added Lambert. "The whole move, the backheel and Andi's finish was fantastic.

"The goals were outstanding, worthy of winning any game, especially the second.

"Not bad for a team that doesn't score many. I've always said we've got goals in us."

Villa, along with Stoke City and QPR, are still the top flight's lowest scorers, with just 15 goals in 17 games.

But no team in the bottom half has conceded fewer. And Lambert had particular praise for his young academy-schooled back three of Ciaran Clark, Eric Lichaj and Nathan Baker, whose stunning early tackle on Jonjo Shelvey probably influenced the outcome as much as anything Benteke did at the other end.

"The three young lads at the back were magic for me," added Lambert.

"They put their bodies on the line. It all bodes well both for them and the future of this club.







"You're not to going to come here and dominate a game right from the off, knowing the players Liverpool have got and the run they were on. You know you've got to defend really strongly and get a foothold in, which we did."

Reo-Coker joins Ipswich

Former Aston Villa and West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker has signed for npower Championship strugglers Ipswich.



The 28-year-old midfielder, a free agent after leaving Bolton in the summer, has agreed a short-term contract until January.



"Ipswich is a sleeping giant in the Championship," Reo-Coker told the club's official website.



"It's a massive club with a great history and tradition. The facilities are first class and there is a terrific fan base. It's the right club at the right time for me and everything has just fallen into place.



"I had a good conversation with the manager (Paul Jewell). He's highly respected in the game for what he has achieved and I know what he's trying to do at the club.



"Ipswich may be at the wrong end of the table at the moment but it's still early in the season and I'm sure with the manager and players the club have, it's only a matter of time before things turn around."



Ipswich are currently second from bottom in the Championship with seven points from 10 games. Reo-Coker could make his debut at Hull next Saturday.

Agbonlahor out for two weeks

Aston Villa's pre-season preparations were disrupted on Saturday after Gabriel Agbonlahor was ruled out for two weeks by injury.



Agbonlahor headed home the winner for Villa in their 1-0 victory over Chicago Fire during their latest US tour match. However, he later departed due to injury, although the club say the problem is not serious.



A message posted on Villa's official Twitter page read: "Gabby Agbonlahor injury not as bad as first feared. Out for two weeks."



Meanwhile, Agbonlahor has confirmed he expects everybody to shake the hand of John Terry next season. Terry was recently cleared of aiming comments of a racial nature at Anton Ferdinand, and Agbonlahor insists Premier League players want to set an example.



"Players like me have to set a good example to kids," Agbonlahor said in the Sun. "If we won't shake someone's hand then they see that and go into their Saturday and Sunday leagues and they won't do it either.



"They might feel that's okay because they saw us refuse to do the same on TV. A lot of kids love their football and watch us all the time - that's why we have to be good role models.



"I don't think there will be players who won't shake his hand. I think they'll all do it. When thousands and thousands are watching, you're not going to refuse someone's hand easily.



"You're just going to go down everyone in the line because it's on the pitch and you have to show your professionalism."

Hutton left out of Villa squad

Alan Hutton looks certain to leave Aston Villa after Paul Lambert left the right-back out of his squad for the tour of the United States.



Villa fly out to Philadelphia on Monday afternoon as they prepare for games against the Union and two other MLS sides in the Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers.



New signings Brett Holman, Karim El Ahmadi and Matthew Lowton are all included in the 25-man squad but there is no place for Hutton or midfielder Jean Makoun, who cannot travel due to a slight complication with his work permit.



Winger Marc Albrighton, who recently returned from a thigh injury, also misses the trip but Fabian Delph, another to be linked with a move away from Villa Park, will travel to the US.



Goalkeeper Shay Given and defender Richard Dunne are selected after their Euro 2012 appearance for the Republic of Ireland, while the young Irish duo of Enda Stevens and Samir Carruthers also make the party.



Aston Villa squad for three-match tour of the United States: Agbonlahor, Baker, Bannan, Bent, Carruthers, Clark, Collins, Delfouneso, Delph, Dunne, El Ahmadi, Given, Gardner, Guzan, Herd, Holman, Ireland, Johnson, Lichaj, Lowton, Marshall, N'Zogbia, Stevens, Warnock, Weimann.

Villa boss keen on Carroll deal

Aston Villa have joined the race for Andy Carroll's signature as the striker continues to be tipped for a move away from Liverpool.



Carroll's future at Anfield has been placed in doubt by the arrival of fellow forward Fabio Borini in a £8m switch from Roma last week, which follows hot-on-the-heels of comments by new Reds boss Brendan Rodgers that he may be prepared to let him leave on loan.



Rodgers is also stepping up his interest in Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey and his signing would surely open the door for potential suitors to seal a deal for the England international.



West Ham, Fulham and the 23-year-old's old club Newcastle have also been linked with a move for the Reds target man, while Villa manager Paul Lambert is known to be on the look out for extra firepower to bolster his side's striking options.



The prospect of pairing Carroll up with England team-mate Darren Bent at Villa Park is one which would appeal to Lambert, if he was to officially become available.



He told Sky Sports News: "There's no doubt he's a top player, and it wouldn't be one I would dismiss if it was there.



"I've always said that the group need a hand.

"They need players to come in and give them a hand and we're trying to get them in."



The Scot has made three additions to his squad so far since taking over, with Brett Holman, Karim El Ahmadi and Matthew Lowton having all arrived at the club since the end of last season.

Villa set to sign Lowton

Aston Villa are set to snare Sheffield United starlet Matt Lowton for a fee thought to be in the region of £3m.



The versatile defender - most comfortable as an attacking right-back - will become new Villa boss Paul Lambert's second signing following the arrival of midfielder Karim El Ahmadi.



Lowton signed a new deal at Bramall Lane only last year but was keen to test himself in the top-flight following the Blades' League One play-off final failure.



He is the latest promising youngster to emerge from United's academy, following the likes of Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker into the Premier League.



But is imminent arrival puts the future of Scotland international Alan Hutton, signed by Lambert's predecessor Alex McLeish, in doubt.

Aston Villa close in on Feyenoord star

Aston Villa are on the verge of signing midfielder Karim El Ahmadi from Feyenoord, Voetbal International understands.



The Villans are looking to reinforce the squad following yet another disappointing season and they have set their sights on the Moroccan midfielder.



Voetbal International claims the two clubs have already agreed on the transfer fee, which is close to €2.8 million, and the player is expected to reach an agreement over the personal terms in the coming days.



The 27-year-old, who started his career at Twente, returned to Feyenoord last summer after spending six months on loan at Al Ahli.



El Ahmadi had a big role to play in one of club’s most successful seasons over the last decade.



Feyenoord qualified for the Champions League by achieving second-place finish in Eredivisie, with the Moroccan scoring 2 goals and producing 6 assists in 31 games.

Bent backs Agbonlahor to lead England line

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent said Gabriel Agbonlahor is good enough for a place in the England team.



Agbonlahor's chances of representing England have been limited due to injuries and reported differences with other players, meaning the 25-year-old has only clocked up three senior Three Lions call-ups.



However, his Villa team-mate Bent said the striker fits in with the other members of the team, while adding that if he gets over his injury problems there is no reason why he cannot shine for both club and country.



"He's cool, all the lads get on with Gabby," Bent told The Sun.



"I'd like to think me and Gabby could be picked for the same England squad again.



"When you've got that much pace and that explosiveness he's always going to have problems with his hamstrings.



"If he can get over that there's no reason why he can’t force himself in.



"At the start of last season his performances were fantastic.



"I know he maybe didn't get the goals he would have liked in the second half of the season but it’s hard when you have injuries here and there.



"We all know what he is capable of and with a good run I'm sure he can show that for Villa and England."



Hodgson's men are currently mid-way through their Euro 2012 campaign, and having defeated Sweden on Friday, the Three Lions face co-hosts Ukraine in their final Group D game on Tuesday knowing that anything but a defeat will see them qualify for the quarter-finals.

Bannan raises Olympic issue again

Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan says nobody from the Scottish FA has spoken to him about his desire to play at the Olympics.



The Scotland international last week said that he is keen to be part of Team GB if he is selected in coach Stuart Pearce's final squad for the tournament in August.



However, the SFA does not want any involvement with the football team at the Olympics and this has led to concerns about a possible issue with Bannan.



And the Villa star admits he was surprised that no-one from the SFA discussed his recent comments with him when on duty with Craig Levein's squad in the USA last week.



"I didn't speak to Craig Levein about it and it's not like anyone told me to be careful," said Bannan in the Daily Record.



"I spoke about this in an interview I did last week. I thought someone might have said something in Florida but nobody did.



"That says to me that if I do get picked then I might as well go for it.



"If you're going there to play with the likes of David Beckham and Gareth Bale it's a learning curve."

Gabby loyal to Villa - McLeish

Alex McLeish expects striker Gabriel Agbonlahor to stay at Aston Villa for the remainder of his career.



Agbonlahor has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Saturday's opponents Sunderland who are managed by former Villa boss, Martin O'Neill.



But McLeish believes Agbonlahor's love affair with Villa, where he graduated through the academy, means he will stay "for the next 10 years" which would take him up to the age of 35.



The Villa manager said: "I would find it hard to believe that Gabby would leave. This is his club.



"Of course, it's football and you can never rule anything out.



"But I see Gabby being here for the next 10 years provided he is playing at the level he is capable of.



"People here have known him longer than I have but I know how much he loves this club."



McLeish believes Agbonlahor will be disappointed at Villa's form during the past two seasons and will be desperate to ensure they are not involved in a relegation scrap.



He said: "Gabby knows that for the last two seasons we have been in the wrong half of the table by Aston Villa's standards.



"He'll be desperate to make sure that we are okay in the next few weeks. He's a big, important factor."



McLeish is challenging Agbonlahor to reproduce his outstanding form of the first half of the season.



He said: "That first half the season was exceptional. The evidence is there for him to look back at that and say 'look what I've done and I can produce that again'



"Gabby Agbonlahor is a match winner and he has been unlucky in recent weeks."



McLeish has confirmed his interest in Dutch Under-21 striker Bas Dost but dismisses reports that a contact has been made with the player or his club Heerenveen.



He said: "What is the story? That he turned us down? Well, we've never approached Heerenveen for Bas Dost, but we know who he is.



"We've watched a lot of the Dutch League this year but I don't know why his agent is linking us with him when we've never made any approaches or even sounded him out.



"There's been no contact whatsoever with the agent or anyone. Nothing.



"He's scored a number of goals in Holland this season but is among a number of players that we've recorded and logged.



"But you never know, he might be here in July. I'm not saying it cannot happen but we've never made any contact. We're looking at a lot of players who we believe can help us improve."

Petrov thanks fans for 'incredible' support

Bulgaria captain Stiliyan Petrov has expressed his gratitude to fans back home for their support as he battles acute leukaemia.



Sports Minister Svilen Neykov and Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandukova joined thousands of fans and officials at the Vasil Levski national stadium late on Thursday to show their support for Petrov.



"I want to thank you with all my heart for the incredible support you show in this difficult time for me and my family," Petrov said in an address recorded in London and played at the stadium.



"There are ordeals in life in which we must be stronger than ever, and I think I have enough strength and faith to cope. I do believe that together we will win this match too," added Petrov, who has started treatment at a London hospital.



The time and date of the event - 1900 on April 19 - were chosen to commemorate Petrov's shirt number at his English Premier League club Aston Villa as the emotional gathering was broadcast live on several television channels.



The event was part of the "Bulgaria for Stiliyan" campaign, which started on social networks and got the backing of the Bulgarian Football Union.



Citizens of Petrov's hometown Montana wrote a 19-metres letter of support at a downtown square while fans chanted his name and wished him a speedy recovery.



Petrov, who has made more than 100 appearances for Bulgaria, was part of Montana's junior team before joining CSKA Sofia in 1996.



"I'm praying for him every night," said Margarita Berbatova, mother of Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov. "Stiliyan is like my son and I'm happy to see that all of us want to show how much we love him."