Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert says he won't speak with Christian Benteke about curbing his aggressive style after his dismissal in defeat to Chelsea.

He believes that his powerful play makes him the quality striker he is, having hit a remarkable twenty-three goals in his debut season in the Barclays Premier League.

Lambert told Villa's website: "I think he's only had about four cards all season. You can't call him undisciplined.

"He's gone for things that I think he's quite entitled for in the general game. I won't curtail him. He takes some hard hits himself. He's not a shrinking violet, that's for sure.

"You take that away from really good players, you'd lose a bit of them. He's only a young lad and he's learning his trade really. He's 22. He's just starting on the football ladder.

"But he's been terrific for us. You see the adulation the crowd give him. He's been a big player for us. He's scored twenty-three goals which is a big chunk.

"He was like everyone in the dressing room after the game. Everyone was down about the result.

"But he's give us everything. He's looking at the ball with that second one."