Christian Benteke returns to training with Aston Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed that Christian Benteke has returned to training after missing the last five months with an Achilles injury.

The Belgian striker ruptured the tendon in April, forcing him to miss the end of last season as well as this summer's World Cup.

Manager Paul Lambert told the club's website: "I'm delighted with the efforts of the medical team here at Villa for working incredibly hard with Christian to get him back to fitness so quickly.

"Christian trained today, though it was a light session. Hopefully, with no effects from that, he'll train again tomorrow with the group.

"Obviously, we'll be monitoring his fitness and we'll continue to build him up towards a return to the team."

Benteke has scored 29 goals in 56 league appearances since moving to Villa in 2012.