MX23RW : Monday, December 23 19:09:54| >> :120:16215:16215:
Aston Villa logo
Premier League
Feb 10, 2013 at 1.30pm UK
 
West Ham logo

2-1

N'Zogbia (79'), Benteke (74' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-0)
Westwood (87' og.)

Sam Allardyce wary of Christian Benteke threat

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce identifies Christian Benteke as the main threat for Aston Villa in their clash on Sunday.

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has warned his side to be wary of Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke on Sunday.

The Belgium international has been in impressive form for Villa, hitting 16 goals in 28 appearances since joining from Genk in the summer.

Allardyce has identified the 22-year-old as "the biggest threat" to his side as they look to take all three points off Paul Lambert's struggling side.

"[Benteke's] the biggest threat. He's the man who scores the goals for Aston Villa on a regular basis, he's the focal point for their attacks in that he not only scores goals, but he holds the ball up, he's strong," said Allardyce.

"He's had a fantastic start in what must have been a very disappointing season so far for Aston Villa. It says a lot for what he is as a player when he's producing what he is in a team that's been struggling for results.

"We can ill afford to let Aston Villa get off to the sort of start they did against Everton. We've got to avoid that at all costs and play our way into the game, making sure we don't give them any opportunities to score."

The Hammers currently sit in 11th place in the Premier League table.

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Sam Hughes
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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert on the touchline on December 29, 2012
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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