Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke has defended Chelsea winger Eden Hazard.

Hazard has struggled to match the hype around him in his first season in England.

Benteke is quoted by The Sun: "People expect too much from Eden.

"They should not just focus on him alone. He will be able to make a difference and Belgium will be able to count on him. You must not expect him to do what he did when he played for Lille - he does not have the same level of understanding with his national team-mates."

Hazard has spoken to Benteke about the huge pressure that comes with the whopping price-tag Chelsea coughed up to sign him. But the Blues wizard is up for the challenge.

Benteke continued: "He has already told me what his life is like with the high levels of expectation.

"He has been signed for many millions of pounds and he will always have the pressure of his price tag. He will forever have to do more than the others, he is condemned to always be at the top of his game.

"He realises this and he relishes the challenge. His fantasy football takes off some of the pressure on him. Eden dares to try things and is not afraid to face up to his responsibilities."