View: The short but sweet story of Christian Benteke at Aston Villa
Even though Christian Benteke quickly became a cult hero at Aston Villa, many supporters still believe he could have reached higher heights at Villa Park.
It is now over ten years since Villa signed the big, bustling Belgian goalscorer from Genk in a transfer worth around £7million, and he certainly lived up to his pricetag with three seasons of stunning football at Villa Park.
A cursory scroll through his highlights reel in a claret and blue top makes brilliant viewing. A total of 49 goals rattled in, in under 100 appearances is up there among the most prolific records the club has ever witnessed, and his customary point-to-the-sky celebration will be long remembered within the claret and blue faithful.
In his first season at the club, Benteke netted a quite superb 23 goals in all competitions, netting on his debut against Swansea City to give the side their first win of the season and continuing to thrive under Paul Lambert.
Alongside Gabby Agbonlahor and Andy Wiemann, the Belgian helped Villa form a potent trio. A fabulously orchestrated goal against Liverpool was a prime example of the attackers’ chemistry.
Running away towards the edge of the Liverpool box and being pursued by Martin Skrtel, Benteke pulled out an audacious back heel that found Weimann to perfection, who subsequently slotted home with ease.
After Spurs came hunting for the bulldozing centre-forward in the summer of 2013, Benteke pledged his colours to Villa and signed a new four-year contract at the club.
The striker ended up staying in the West Midlands for another two years, scoring ten goals in the Premier League in 2013/14 and a further 13 the year after as he almost single-handedly saved the club from relegation.
Possibly his most memorable moment for the club was the winner he scored against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final in 2015 – although, unfortunately, coming undone in the final in the 4-0 loss to Arsenal.
Little more than three months after sending Villa through to Wembley with the winner against the Reds, he had completed a blockbuster £32.5million move to Anfield. The fee the club received remained a record until the £100million sale of Jack Grealish in 2021 and was a more-than-justified price tag considering Benteke’s sky-high potential.
Since his departure in 2015, Benteke has never been able to recapture his barnstorming Villa form, with all of his spells at Liverpool, Crystal Palace and D.C. United flattering to deceive.
It is a shame his career took such a turn for the worse, but Benteke’s days at Villa Park will live long in the history books.
In other Aston Villa news, the club face competition from Barcelona to secure the signing of a striker at the end of the season.