Paul Lambert relieved as Villa striker Christian Benteke ruled out for Belgium

The international boss will not play the Villa star in tomorrow's final World Cup qualifier in Brussels after they sealed their place in Brazil last week.

Wilmots had previously said he would consider playing Benteke, who has been out for three weeks with a hip injury, despite Villa boss Paul Lambert insisting he would not be fit.

But after Belgium's 2-1 win over Croatia clinched a World Cup spot for next year Wilmots said he will keep Benteke on the sidelines.

"He trained for the first time in three weeks with the group on Friday but I won't risk him," he said.

Lambert and Wilmots had spoken about the striker's fitness and Lambert made it clear he did not expect Benteke to play for Belgium if he was not ready for Villa.

Belgium's medics ran the rule over the 22-year-old and wanted him to link up with the squad in case they needed him to reach Brazil.

But they have now topped Group A to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 2002 with one game to spare.

Villa are now hoping Benteke is fit for Sunday's Premier League visit of Tottenham after he missed the last three games with a hip injury suffered at Norwich last month.

His absence told in the 0-0 draw at Hull with replacement Libor Kozak still adapting to the Premier League.

Benteke has scored five times this term and signing a new four-year deal in the summer after performing a U-turn when he originally handed in a transfer request.