Villa are three points above relegation zone and have an opportunity to enhance their survival prospects when they host basement boys Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.

And Belgium international Benteke, who has been strongly linked with a move in the summer after an impressive debut season in the English top flight, revealed the claret and blue faithful already have a place in his heart.

He said: "Since I have been here, the fans have shown me a lot of respect and when I am on the pitch I have tried to give that back.

“Villa Park is a legendary stadium. When you step on the pitch you have a special feeling - it's a great place to play football. We still have a lot of games at home so I hope I can score some goals.

“The fans have been great for us. In the last nine games we are going to fight for them and I am sure they are going to be behind us.

“I have a special feeling when they sing my name and it gives me a second power. I am motivated by that and I will do my best like I have since I've here.”

Benteke, who has become a Holte End favourite since his £7million move from Genk last August, has scored 16 goals in all competitions for Villa this season.

The 22-year-old also revealed he has learnt a lot about the Premier League from his team-mates since he arrived at the club – and they have helped improve his grasp of the English language.

He said: "I am still young and I am learning from my team-mates. It is good for me. For example, Gabby Agbonlahor has played over 200 league games for the first team and I have played around 20.

"It's about learning every morning, every day in training and in every game. It's just over six months since I've been here. The language is not easy but I've picked it up and still improving.

"The hard thing for French speakers is the accent. But in my free time I am reading books in English and trying to learn more.”