Tim Sherwood has urged Christian Benteke to prove his critics wrong by leading Aston Villa to safety this season.

Benteke has struggled to find his best form since returning from an Achilles injury in November, scoring just twice in the Premier League this season.

However, Sherwood is desperate to help the Belgian find his best form, and he believes that the striker will silence his doubters.

"I can remember him terrorising defenders and I want that back," the Villa boss told reporters.

"I told him 'You were one of the best strikers in the country and everybody wanted you. This club didn't want to sell you because what you did was not a flash in the pan'.

"We need to get that back out of him. I want to see him take the match ball with a hat-trick and throw it back in people's faces."

Villa, who are currently 19th, meet Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.