Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke backed to rival Liverpool's Luis Suarez
Ashley Westwood today insisted Christian Benteke is ready to go head to head with Luis Suarez for the Premier League's top billing.
The midfielder reckons the striker can rival 22-goal Suarez in the star stakes now he has broken his four-month barren streak.
Benteke ended his drought at the 13th attempt when he scored in Monday's 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal for his sixth goal of the season.
He smashed 15 goals in the second half of the campaign last term and ahead of Saturday's showdown with Suarez and Liverpool at Anfield, Westwood backed a repeat.
"He was the talk of the Premier League last year and I've got no doubt he can get back to that," he said. "Last year everyone was talking about him but he's still been the same Christian this year. He gets his head down, works hard and it's paying off again now.
"Christian's got his goal and hopefully that will kick him on now.
"He's a top lad, he's a top player and he was just having a bit of bad form.
"All players go through that. I'm sure he'll be made up with his goal against Arsenal, He was unbelievable last season and hopefully he can rediscover that form."
Villa go to Anfield for the first time since their win on Merseyside last season with Suarez having scored 13 goals in his last nine games.
