Villa’s Benteke in Line for Sunday’s League Return, Everton Says Gibson Needs Surgery.

Aston Villa striker, Christian Benteke, could make a return for the Premier League outfit in Sunday’s game against Tottenham.

The Belgian sustained a hip injury in Villa’s win at Norwich last month and was subsequently ruled out for four to six weeks.

But having been named as an unused substitute in the Belgium side which drew 1-1 against Wales on Tuesday, his manager Paul Lambert is satisfied with his speedy recovery.

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“He must have been fit enough to go on the bench, or they wouldn’t have done that,” Lambert told BBC West Midland.

“He’s been in dialogue with our medical people. He’s doing well and felt good.

“He was training Sunday and Monday with the national team. We trust Christian to come back and then see how he feels and judge from there.”

Aston Villa's Christian Benteke.
Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke.

Benteke, 22, who is the club’s highest goal scorer, has scored 5 goals so far in the ongoing campaign. Villa have recorded four points from their last two matches without the striker.

Meanwhile, Everton have announced that midfielder Darron Gibson is to have an operation on the knee injury he sustained while playing for the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland finished fourth in Group C after beating Kazakhstan 3-1.

“A subsequent scan showed he has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the midfielder will require an operation. The length of time the 25-year-old will be out will (be) best determined once the surgery is completed,” a statement on the club’s website read.