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Aston Villa logo
Premier League
Feb 10, 2013 at 1.30pm UK
 
West Ham logo

2-1

N'Zogbia (79'), Benteke (74' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-0)
Westwood (87' og.)

Sam Allardyce wary of Christian Benteke threat

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce identifies Christian Benteke as the main threat for Aston Villa in their clash on Sunday.

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has warned his side to be wary of Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke on Sunday.

The Belgium international has been in impressive form for Villa, hitting 16 goals in 28 appearances since joining from Genk in the summer.

Allardyce has identified the 22-year-old as "the biggest threat" to his side as they look to take all three points off Paul Lambert's struggling side.

"[Benteke's] the biggest threat. He's the man who scores the goals for Aston Villa on a regular basis, he's the focal point for their attacks in that he not only scores goals, but he holds the ball up, he's strong," said Allardyce.

"He's had a fantastic start in what must have been a very disappointing season so far for Aston Villa. It says a lot for what he is as a player when he's producing what he is in a team that's been struggling for results.

"We can ill afford to let Aston Villa get off to the sort of start they did against Everton. We've got to avoid that at all costs and play our way into the game, making sure we don't give them any opportunities to score."

The Hammers currently sit in 11th place in the Premier League table.

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Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert on the touchline on December 29, 2012
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


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