Fulham boss Martin Jol admits he considered signing Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke last summer.

Jol signed Dimitar Berbatov for £4m from Manchester United on the final day of the summer transfer window, the same day Villa landed Benteke for £7m - making today's clash at Villa Park the 'battle of the bargains'.

The Fulham boss said: "We only wanted to pay a certain amount of money and I think we were right. But after you think 'maybe I should have gone to the bank or asked the chairman'.

"I always think it's arrogant to say 'we got the best bargain of the season'. I think that there are a few players doing well.

"Benteke was doing well already, he was in the national team.

"But in England nobody knew him so Villa did well with their scouting system."