Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has insisted that Christian Benteke can regain his best form this season.

Benteke has struggled to make the same impact for Villa since returning from an Achilles injury earlier in the campaign, but Lambert believes that the Belgian, who has scored just two league goals in 14 games, will prove his critics wrong.

"He knows things aren't going his way, he doesn't need telling," the Villa boss told reporters. "I'm pretty sure he's getting advice from all quarters. I'm not about to chastise Christian - he's still a big threat.

"I don't think his belief has wavered. He will be stinging but that's exactly what you are hoping for.

"If he can get back to where he was, he's unplayable. He's not naive or silly, he knows what's going on."

Villa are aiming to end a run of eight Premier League matches without a win when they host Chelsea on Saturday.