Why ?

His first touch was poor tonight, but so was most of the teams. He scored from the only decent cross we put in. If we don't get the ball across then he's not going to be able to do a lot.

Whatever the pundits are saying, think we have to live with Benteke for the rest of season. Norwegian Sorloth or/and the Preston striker won't be any improvement..

On BEINSports I was watching and a couple of times I said 'Wtf was that', followed by Tony Gale confirming how bad it was, and how bad his control and first touch is, just like when he doesn't shoot at the crucial moment we all see at the game, only for him to end up with an impossible angle to score from.

A goal is a goal but let's not got carried away. It was harder to miss. The days of those headers at Everton and Sunderland and goals for villa on the deck seem like years and years away. I was a big fan of his work but he's deteriorated hugely. But as has been said, he's the best, erm, only striker we've got and likely to still be the best whoever we sign so at games we refrain from moaning how poor he is, especially at his price tag. Hopefully someone will come in with an offer in the summer because he shows no form or anything much to build a team around or pattern of play involving him that has any longevity.

COYP

His movement for the goal was very good.

He was feeding off scraps for the rest of the night, but I keep looking at him and wanting him to point at the 6 yard box when PVA kept getting it on the left wing, and for the cross to come in, but that never happened, in spite of all our possession.

The one real chance he had 2nd half was the Cabaye ball in where he got between the 2 centre backs and tried to control it on the 6 yard box, when he should have tried to just flick it on with his head. Any deviation in the ball from that distance would have had a good chance of beating the keeper.

He's clearly still got the ability and physicality to do it and he's hardly too old either. Adding some competition will be good, but I'm backing him to get another 5 this season, which I'd be reasonably happy with. Would probably be enough to get us the points we need.

£20m