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Aston Villa logo
Premier League
Feb 7, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

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Paul Lambert: 'Easy decision to leave out Christian Benteke'

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert admits that it was a simple decision to drop Christian Benteke against Chelsea.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has admitted that Christian Benteke deserved to be dropped for Saturday's defeat to Chelsea.

The striker, who has scored just three goals this season, had to settle for a place on the bench at Villa Park as the strugglers were beaten 2-1 by Jose Mourinho's side.

Lambert claims that Benteke's underwhelming form in recent weeks was the reason why the Belgian did not make the starting XI.

"It wasn't a hard decision to leave Christian out. His form has dipped, he knows that by his own admission when we spoke," the Scot is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"I expect Christian to take it like any other player and fight their way to get back into the side. I don't think we should leave everything to Christian. It's not his sole responsibility to score goals. I thought his form and general game wasn't up to the level I know he can produce."

Villa are back in action tomorrow night when they travel to fellow strugglers Hull City in the Premier League.

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Jose Mourinho manager of Chelsea looks on during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Shrewsbury Town and Chelsea at Greenhous Meadow on October 28, 2014
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3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
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12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
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14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


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