Paul Lambert: 'Christian Benteke really happy at Aston Villa'

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has insisted that striker Christian Benteke is happy in the Midlands and will stay at the club next season.

Benteke has enjoyed a debut campaign to remember in the Premier League, scoring 19 goals to spearhead Villa's fight against relegation.

Lambert is adamant that despite reported interest from a whole host of top European sides including Borussia Dortmund, the Belgian forward will remain at Villa Park beyond this summer.

He told The Sun: "Christian is just starting on the ladder. He's been saying he's really happy here, so I've left it at that."

The 22-year-old is suspended for Villa's final match of the campaign against Wigan Athletic following his sending off in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.