John Carew has said that he expects Christian Benteke to be a "big player" for Aston Villa in the closing stages of the 2013-14 Premier League season.

The Belgian striker is the club's top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions this season and has found the target in three of their last six matches in the top flight.

Carew, who spent four years with the Midlands side from 2007 to 2011, told the Villans' official website: "Christian is very strong. He came in and had an excellent season last time. The second season is always more difficult than the first one. There are more expectations and you need to live up to what you did in the first one.

"It has been hard for him and he has had some injuries but he is still working and still trying and he is getting back in shape now and back to scoring goals now.

"He is definitely going to be a big player for the club in the closing weeks. Strikers thrive on belief and confidence. They are like that. We work on confidence and the good feeling and getting into games with a lot of strength and positivity."

Villa currently sit 12th in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone.