Reports are out claiming that Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood feels Christian Benteke is key to their survival efforts.
The Belgium international striker hit a hat-trick in their draw with QPR on Monday.
Sherwood said: “Christian is a key to our success because he scores goals.
“You guys (the press) were questioning Christian and saying it must’ve been a one-off a couple of seasons ago. You didn’t look for any mitigating circumstances.
“Do you think he was starved of service?
“And if you don’t feel well then it’s like a bit of medicine if people are throwing it down your throat.
“All of a sudden you feel better and you feel more like yourself?
“You look at his record, it’s one in two.”