Capital One Cup: There is more to Aston Villa than Christian Benteke insists Paul Lambert ahead of Tottenham clash

The Belgian striker has continued his fine form from last term

Christian Benteke celebrates scoring a hat-trick against Sunderland (GETTY IMAGES)

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has challenged his players to prove they are more than just a one- man team as they prepare to head into the Capital One Cup clash with Tottenham.

Villa will be without star striker Christian Benteke who limped off early in Saturday's 1-0 win over Norwich at Carrow Road.

And with Benteke also battling to be fit for Saturday's Barclays Premier League showdown with Manchester City, Lambert insists this is the right time for his other players to steal the headlines.

Lambert said: "Football isn't a one-man game - if that was the case I'd play Christian by himself.

"I need everybody. That's what I've always said. If Christian does go down for a while and is injured then you want the others to step up, and that's what I'll be hoping for."

Lambert has admitted the upcoming City game is his main focus of attention and will rest other star names against Spurs, with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Antonio Luna set to sit out, and Jed Steer likely to replace Brad Guzan in goal.

Lambert told his club's official website: "We've played really hard teams in this opening spell - three teams you think will be round about there in Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, and now we've got two more tough ones.

"The main one is Saturday but we'll do our best to get through the Tottenham tie."

PA