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Villa boss Lambert: Fit-again Benteke will drive us up table

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is delighted to have Christian Benteke back in action.

The Belgian hitman returned to action on Tuesday against Crystal Palace and scored the match-winner but Lambert believes he's still not fully up to speed.

"I think his goal was world class. But there was more he should've done better with," said Lambert.

"It's great to have him back. We've missed him. He gives us that threat but he's not at top level yet.

"His hold-up play wasn't as good as it could have been (at Palace).

"Against Tottenham, he was unplayable, that's what I expect from him. But there's still rustiness and I expected that, too.

"For the standard that he sets I expect him to get better the more he plays, more game-time.

"But it's great to have him back. He's a big player for us."

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