Villa set to make new Benteke bid

Villa were today poised to make a second offer for Genk striker Christian Benteke and bid for Middlesbrough defender Joe Bennett.

Manager Paul Lambert has identified the pair as the two players he is keen to snap up before the transfer window slams shut on Friday.

The claret and blues saw an initial offer for £6m-rated Belgium forward Benteke rejected yesterday although Villa chiefs are encouraged with how negotiations have progressed with Genk over the past 24 hours.

Villa have also made progress with their pursuit of £2.5m-rated Boro defender Bennett although Lambert was coy about a deal for either player.

When questioned about Bennett the Villa boss said: "Hopefully something might happen on that. Has a bid gone in? Near enough.

"It's like Benteke, there's no point in me really talking about it until I know. I think it's unfair on Villa, unfair on Middlesbrough, unfair on Genk and unfair on the lads themselves.

"I'll wait and see. There's no point me talking about it until something happens. We've just got to try and see where we are with Genk."