Paul Lambert confident Christian Benteke will stay

Benteke celebrates his goal for Aston Villa (Getty Images)

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert believes Christian Benteke will remain with the club if they retain their Barclays Premier League status.

Striker Benteke has scored 15 goals since his £8million summer move from Genk and has already been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash at Arsenal, Lambert said: "Christian is playing very well for us and that's the main thing.

"It doesn't concern me who he is linked with and who he is not linked with.

"It proves he's doing well for me and doing well for himself. That doesn't interest me, what other people think.

"I don't read the headlines. I just get told."

Asked whether Benteke will stay if Villa retain their top-flight status, Lambert said: "Yes. I don't have a problem with that at all.

"As far as I'm concerned, the guy is here and he isn't going anywhere until I say so or not really. That's the bottom line."

Lambert knows Benteke has the potential to become a leading light in the game.

He said: "He's a really top lad, really humble and, if he keeps doing what he's doing, he'll be a top, top player.

"The big lad has been phenomenal for us. He is 22, he has got so much to learn and so much to give to the game.

"What he has done for this club, in the short time he has been here, he has got to sustain that, not just over a year - it has got to be for the rest of his career."