Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has told his board not to sell Christian Benteke.

The Mirror says Lambert is adamant that Aston Villa must resist any Manchester City raid for Benteke.

Big-spending City have snapped up Gareth Barry and James Milner from the Midlands outfit in previous summers.

Now the Premier League champions fancy striker Benteke, who has bagged 13 league goals in a stunning debut season in English football - although they face competition from Italy's Fiorentina.

Villa manager Lambert has told officials at the club, including owner Randy Lerner, that they simply must not sell the 22-year-old Belgium front-man.