Martin Keown backs Aston Villa to beat Liverpool in FA Cup
Martin Keown has backed Christian Benteke to stay at Aston Villa - and tipped them to reach the FA Cup final.
The former Villa defender believes the in-form striker can help spearhead them past Liverpool in the semi final at Wembley on Sunday.
Benteke has eight goals in eight games under boss Tim Sherwood and scored the winner in Saturday's 1-0 victory at Tottenham which lifted Villa six points clear of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.
He had previously scored just three goals this season before Sherwood replaced Paul Lambert in February.
And Keown reckons Benteke is showing he wants to be a part of Sherwood's long-term plan at Villa Park.
"I can see the frustration in a player who is burning with desire to do something for his club," said Keown, who made 133 appearances for Villa between 1986 and 1989. "He must feel he has won the lottery because he has a manager who generates everything to him.
"It's a nice position for the club if they are fending off offers for him but they will face that situation if it arises. But Fabian Delph was persuaded to stay when everyone thought he was leaving.
"Villa are a big club with an ambitious manager and he is banging the drum and the players are following him. Benteke would not want to run away from that."
Gabby Agbonlahor has partnered Benteke up front under Sherwood, scoring three times, and Keown reckons Benteke, aided by Agbonlahor, can inspire Villa to the FA Cup final.
"I don't think there's any doubt he could do that. (Liverpool's) Kolo Toure would not relish playing against these two," said the ex-England and Arsenal defender.
"There would be pockets of space for Gabby Agbonlahor to run in to and not many defenders can match him in a foot race.
"Villa can enjoy the semi final while maybe Liverpool are running out of steam and momentum is building for Villa.
"I would not want to play against Agbonlahor and Benteke, if those two are up against you they are going to test you."