Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is prepared to include Christian Benteke in preseason training.

The Daily Mail says Lambert will welcome Benteke back into pre-season training next week but has warned the £25m-rated forward that he expects no repeat of the antics which secured the forward a move to Villa Park.

Villa's boss gave the Belgium international an extended leave of absence following his transfer request at the weekend, omitting him from the club's pre-season tour.

However, Benteke is expected at Bodymoor Heath in seven days' time when Villa will have returned from their break in Germany.

And Lambert has held a private conversation with the 22-year-old forward in which he has both empathised with his situation - but also spelled out that there can be no hangover from his decision once the player returns to Villa's first-team squad.