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Christian Benteke - Player of the Week

Christian Benteke - Player of the Week

Benteke back on form!

Benteke heads past the Sunderland goalkeeper.Aston Villa won for the third match in a row for the first time this season and are now three points clear of the relegation zone, after a fantastic 4-0 win away to Sunderland. Villa's strikers were the stars of the show, both Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor scored twice. Benteke scored the first in the 16th minute, and Agbonlahor got Villa's second just two minutes later. Agbonlahor scored his second in the 37th minute and Benteke got Villa's fourth a minute before half-time, when he scored with a brilliant header. Before this game, Villa had only scored 6 goals in 21 Premier League matches and are the lowest scoring team in the Premier League this season (19 goals). Aston Villa are now above Sunderland in the table, who following this defeat, replaced Gus Poyet as manager with Dick Advocaat, the experienced Dutch manager, until the end of the season.

"Today we did the job and we can be happy." Christian Benteke.

What's changed at Villa?

Tim Sherwood is Villa's new manager.Just over a month ago, Villa were in deep trouble, they hadn't won a Premier League match for 10 games and had lost 5 consecutive Premier League matches. Villa decided to make a change. They replaced Paul Lambert as manager with Tim Sherwood, whose only managerial experience was five months in charge of Tottenham at the end of the 2013/14 season. After an uncertain start, Sherwood lost his first two matches, Sherwood has now seen Villa win away for the first time since December and score four goals in a match for the first time in a year! Sherwood has also seen his Villa team beat local rivals, West Brom, twice recently. One was an important win in the Premier League and the other a victory in the FA Cup, that will see Villa playing at Wembley for the first time since 2010.

"It's huge for the club and we're delighted. It will be a great day out at Wembley.Tim Sherwood, Aston Villa manager.

What do we know about Christian Benteke?

Benteke celebrates a goal against West Brom.Christian Benteke Liolo was born in Kinshasa, capital of the West African country Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 3 December 1990. His family emigrated to Liège in Belgium where Christian played for a number of clubs as a youngster, including Standard Liége, Mechelen and Genk. He scored 19 goals in 37 games for Genk in the 2011/12 season. This attracted the attention of several European clubs, but it was Aston Villa that signed him in August 2012 for a reported £7 million. 

“My dream was to come here. I think every player wants to come to the Premier League and I’m very happy.” Christian Benteke in 2012.

How successful has Benteke been at Villa?

Benteke celebrates a goal against Man Utd.Benteke’s first season (2012/13) in England was impressive. In September 2012 he scored on his debut as a substitute for Aston Villa in a 2-0 win against Swansea City. He found the net on a regular basis throughout the season, including a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory over Sunderland, and finished with 19 Premier League goals (23 in all competitions). In April he got Aston Villa’s 1000th Premier League goal, the first in a 2-1 win at Reading. He was nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Year award, coming second only to Tottenham star Gareth Bale. Following Benteke's success, there was plenty of interest from other Premier League teams and there were rumours that Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal were interested. Eventually, though, he signed an extended contract at Villa until 2017. Benteke had an injury hit season and missed the World Cup in Brazil after injuring his Achilles tendon, which also ruled him out of the start of the 2014/15 season.

"Villa is a great club and it has given me a lot. Now I have to give something back to my team-mates and the fans who have always been right behind me." Benteke speaking after signing a new contract with Villa.

Which country did Benteke choose to play for?

Benteke happy after his second goal against Sunderland.Benteke made his full international debut for Belgium in May 2010 in a friendly match against Bulgaria, and he got his first goal for the national side in August 2012 in a 4-2 win over Holland. He could have chosen to represent either Belgium or Congo: But although he was born in Kinshasa, he has never returned there since his family emigrated to Belgium 20 years ago. Benteke has said that meeting his team-mates in the Belgium squad influenced his decision to move to England: “When I saw all the players from the Premier League in the Belgian squad. It made me want to play here.” Some of those players include: Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Mousa Dembélé & Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Romelu Lukaku & Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) and Simon Mignolet (Liverpool).

"I feel like I am both Belgian and Congolese. At home, my dad would speak to us three kids in French, but my mother would speak in Lingala [a Bantu language with over 10 million speakers]. So I feel a bit of both." Christian Benteke.

Is Aston Villa the oldest club in the Premier League?

The Holte End at Villa Park.Aston Villa were formed in 1874 and became one of football's founding members when the first Football League season stared in 1888. Other founding members that are currently playing in the Premier League are: Everton, West Brom, Stoke City and Burnley. Of these clubs, only Stoke City (1863) were created before Aston Villa and are the second oldest professional club in the world after Notts County, which was formed in 1862. Aston Villa were the most successful team in the early years of league football and won the first division championship five time before 1900.

Christian Benteke has been Villa's top scorer for the last two seasons.

What did you understand?

 
How much did you understand?

Benteke back on form!

Aston Villa won for the third match in a row for the first time this season and are now three points clear of the relegation zone, after a fantastic 4-0 win away to Sunderland. Villa's strikers were the stars of the show, both Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor scored twice. Benteke scored the first in the 16th minute, and Agbonlahor got Villa's second just two minutes later. Agbonlahor scored his second in the 37th minute and Benteke got Villa's fourth a minute before half-time, when he scored with a brilliant header. Before this game, Villa had only scored 6 goals in 21 Premier League matches and are the lowest scoring team in the Premier League this season (19 goals). Aston Villa are now above Sunderland in the table, who following this defeat, replaced Gus Poyet as manager with Dick Advocaat, the experienced Dutch manager, until the end of the season.

"Today we did the job and we can be happy." Christian Benteke.

What's changed at Villa?

Just over a month ago, Villa were in deep trouble, they hadn't won a Premier League match for 10 games and had lost 5 consecutive Premier League matches. Villa decided to make a change. They replaced Paul Lambert as manager with Tim Sherwood, whose only managerial experience was five months in charge of Tottenham at the end of the 2013/14 season. After an uncertain start, Sherwood lost his first two matches, Sherwood has now seen Villa win away for the first time since December and score four goals in a match for the first time in a year! Sherwood has also seen his Villa team beat local rivals, West Brom, twice recently. One was an important win in the Premier League and the other a victory in the FA Cup, that will see Villa playing at Wembley for the first time since 2010.

"It's huge for the club and we're delighted. It will be a great day out at Wembley.Tim Sherwood, Aston Villa manager.

What do we know about Christian Benteke?

Christian Benteke Liolo was born in Kinshasa, capital of the West African country Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 3 December 1990. His family emigrated to Liège in Belgium where Christian played for a number of clubs as a youngster, including Standard Liége, Mechelen and Genk. He scored 19 goals in 37 games for Genk in the 2011/12 season. This attracted the attention of several European clubs, but it was Aston Villa that signed him in August 2012 for a reported £7 million. 

“My dream was to come here. I think every player wants to come to the Premier League and I’m very happy.” Christian Benteke in 2012.

How successful has Benteke been at Villa?

Benteke’s first season (2012/13) in England was impressive. In September 2012 he scored on his debut as a substitute for Aston Villa in a 2-0 win against Swansea City. He found the net on a regular basis throughout the season, including a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory over Sunderland, and finished with 19 Premier League goals (23 in all competitions). In April he got Aston Villa’s 1000th Premier League goal, the first in a 2-1 win at Reading. He was nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Year award, coming second only to Tottenham star Gareth Bale. Following Benteke's success, there was plenty of interest from other Premier League teams and there were rumours that ChelseaLiverpool and Arsenal were interested. Eventually, though, he signed an extended contract at Villa until 2017. Benteke had an injury hit season and missed the World Cup in Brazil after injuring his Achilles tendon, which also ruled him out of the start of the 2014/15 season.

"Villa is a great club and it has given me a lot. Now I have to give something back to my team-mates and the fans who have always been right behind me.Benteke speaking after signing a new contract with Villa.

Which country did Benteke choose to play for?

Benteke made his full international debut for Belgium in May 2010 in a friendly match against Bulgaria, and he got his first goal for the national side in August 2012 in a 4-2 win over Holland. He could have chosen to represent either Belgium or Congo: But although he was born in Kinshasa, he has never returned there since his family emigrated to Belgium 20 years ago. Benteke has said that meeting his team-mates in the Belgium squad influenced his decision to move to England: “When I saw all the players from the Premier League in the Belgian squad. It made me want to play here.” Some of those players include: Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Mousa Dembélé & Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Romelu Lukaku & Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City) and Simon Mignolet (Liverpool).

"I feel like I am both Belgian and Congolese. At home, my dad would speak to us three kids in French, but my mother would speak in Lingala [a Bantu language with over 10 million speakers]. So I feel a bit of both." Christian Benteke.

Is Aston Villa the oldest club in the Premier League?

Aston Villa were formed in 1874 and became one of football's founding members when the first Football League season stared in 1888. Other founding members that are currently playing in the Premier League are: Everton, West Brom, Stoke City and Burnley. Of these clubs, only Stoke City (1863) were created before Aston Villa and are the second oldest professional club in the world after Notts County, which was formed in 1862. Aston Villa were the most successful team in the early years of league football and won the first division championship five time before 1900.

Activity 1: In this activity, try to answer the questions to show how much of the article you understand.

 


 

Guess the right word before you get squashed!
Activity 2: Have a go at this hangman game. Can you guess the right word from the article about Christian Benteke? Remember to use the clues to help you!

 


 

Did you know......?

  • Christian Benteke finished second in the Premier League's 2012 Young Player of the Year award. Gareth Bale was the winner.
  • Benteke became the first player to score more than 20 goals in a season since 2003/04, when Colombian Juan Pablo Angel scored 23.
  • Christian Benteke is David Cameron's (British Prime Minister) favourite player.
  • Only Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester Utd have won the FA Cup more times than Aston Villa, but the last time they won was in 1957!
  • Aston Villa are one of only 5 English clubs to win the European Cup or Champions League. The others are Chelsea, Manchester Utd, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa won 5 League titles before 1900!

Quiz

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What do you think?

Christian Benteke is playing well under Villa's new manager - Tim Sherwood.

Do you think Villa will win the FA Cup this season?

Is it a good idea to change manager in the middle of the season, if the team isn't playing well?

 

 

Answer the questions and leave your message below.

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Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
19/11/2022
TR
5560
points

In my opinion all football players across the globe should be insured for injury which finishes player's career.


hsn's picture
hsn
19/11/2022 17:20
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5560

In my opinion all football players across the globe should be insured for injury which finishes player's career.

Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
16/06/2021
BR
1512
points

I'll always disgust when a team dismiss their manager in the middle of the season. First of all, the board most be sure that the manager they're bringing in matches with the club's expectations and needs.


Gabriel Amaral's picture
Gabriel Amaral
16/06/2021 21:28
Brazil
Arsenal
1512

I'll always disgust when a team dismiss their manager in the middle of the season. First of all, the board most be sure that the manager they're bringing in matches with the club's expectations and needs.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
22/06/2020
TR
6539
points

Changing managers always cause instability in clubs so I prefer to continue with the managers and give them the full chance.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
22/06/2020 13:10
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Changing managers always cause instability in clubs so I prefer to continue with the managers and give them the full chance.

HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
14/03/2016
TR
1761
points

No,they won't.
It depends on state.


HakanUslu1881's picture
HakanUslu1881
14/03/2016 22:13
Turkey
Leicester City
1761

No,they won't.
It depends on state.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
05/12/2015
ME
3557
points

Villa had great opportunity to win the trophy but they just couldn't deal with Arsenal in the final. The team is playing bad this season. Once more, they will have to struggle to survive.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
05/12/2015 12:57
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

Villa had great opportunity to win the trophy but they just couldn't deal with Arsenal in the final. The team is playing bad this season. Once more, they will have to struggle to survive.

MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
21/11/2015
RW
2320
points

If the team performance is bad, manager must be changed


MUGEMANYI's picture
MUGEMANYI
21/11/2015 17:13
Rwanda
Arsenal
2320

If the team performance is bad, manager must be changed

nikosonris
23/11/2015
UA
2453
points

I would rather disagree. Sometimes it's not the manager who should bear the whole blame for poor team performance. Take Chelsea as an example.


nikosonris
23/11/2015 09:53
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

I would rather disagree. Sometimes it's not the manager who should bear the whole blame for poor team performance. Take Chelsea as an example.

nikosonris
13/11/2015
UA
2453
points

Sometimes changing manager in the middle of the season does produce good results (common practice for teams in the relegation zone). It gives the team a shake.


nikosonris
13/11/2015 14:20
Ukraine
Arsenal
2453

Sometimes changing manager in the middle of the season does produce good results (common practice for teams in the relegation zone). It gives the team a shake.

aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
03/11/2015
ME
3557
points

I believe Villa is a great club. I'm not satisfied when I see them in a bad position every year. They should buy some new players if you ask me.


aragorn1986's picture
aragorn1986
03/11/2015 15:37
Montenegro
Arsenal
3557

I believe Villa is a great club. I'm not satisfied when I see them in a bad position every year. They should buy some new players if you ask me.

almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
24/10/2015
BR
1339
points

Congratulation, BENTEKE.


almirpereira's picture
almirpereira
24/10/2015 18:47
Brazil
Chelsea
1339

Congratulation, BENTEKE.

Abdallah
28/09/2015
KW
1814
points

He's very good striker but I don't think he will do good at Liverpool because they are not good at the current time


Abdallah
28/09/2015 13:32
Kuwait
Chelsea
1814

He's very good striker but I don't think he will do good at Liverpool because they are not good at the current time

PaJa111's picture
PaJa111
25/04/2015
CZ
34
points

I don't think that Aston Villa will win FA Cup. Second finalist Arsenal is in the form and this team has experience from last season when won the FA Cup and also Arsenal team is better than Villa and they are favorit. I think that depends on the situation but sometimes it can be good impuls for the team. For example Aston Villa right now.


PaJa111's picture
PaJa111
25/04/2015 23:11
Czech Republic
Arsenal
34

I don't think that Aston Villa will win FA Cup. Second finalist Arsenal is in the form and this team has experience from last season when won the FA Cup and also Arsenal team is better than Villa and they are favorit. I think that depends on the situation but sometimes it can be good impuls for the team. For example Aston Villa right now.

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Average: 4 (1 vote)

Goals

In this article, you will:

Practise reading.

Learn all about Aston Villa striker, Christian Benteke, and learn some new vocabulary.

Tips

Recording Vocabulary

How do you keep a record of new vocabulary? There are some great apps you can use on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Here are a couple of suggestions:

  • Evernote is a fantastic tool for storing and categorising vocabulary.
  • Anki is another great tool - you can use it to create flash cards and then test yourself.