Libor Kozak: 'I have good relationship with Christian Benteke'

Aston Villa striker Libor Kozak has revealed that he has developed a "good relationship" with teammate Christian Benteke.

Kozak found himself in the starting lineup against Southampton on Wednesday night after Benteke was dropped after failing to score in eight matches, but the former Lazio forward has insisted that both he and the Belgian international push each other to improve in training.

The 24-year-old told the Birmingham Mail: "It's a good relationship and I find it good with him. It's something for the manager to decide but we'll always look to contribute for the team.

"I am happy that the manager trusts me but it's not easy because Christian has scored a lot of goals. Now everyone waits for my goals so I'm happy that I'm scoring and we won a difficult game against Southampton.

"It's not easy when Christian is on the bench, but this is football. He must work to his maximum and on Wednesday it was me, but on Sunday, it could be him."

Kozak has scored four times in 14 appearances since his arrival in England from the Serie A outfit.