Christian Benteke: Paul Lambert says Aston Villa striker needs time

Benteke has scored 34 goals in 69 games for Villa

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke might need "six or seven games" to find his best form, according to his manager Paul Lambert.

The 23-year-old Belgian suffered a ruptured Achilles in April and Monday's 2-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers was only his second game since returning.

"The injury he had was really severe," said Lambert. "He might have to wait for six or seven game before he's really up to speed.

"There's signs he's getting there."

Benteke, who was signed from Genk for £7m in August 2012, has scored 34 goals in 69 games for the West Midlands club but is yet to find the net since returning from the injury lay-off which caused him to miss last summer's World Cup.

In his absence, Villa have struggled for goals and have now gone more than eight hours without scoring following the loss at QPR - their fifth successive defeat.

"I tend not to get them too down on that," said Lambert, when asked about his side's lack of goals. "I think they'll come out of the traps on Sunday [at home to Tottenham].

"I know we'll be alright in that department because when Benteke comes up to speed, and with Gabriel Agbonlahor, Andreas Weimann, Charles N'Zogbia and Darren Bent, we've guys with goals in them. That'll happen.

"My main concern tonight is you've got to defend when you're on top."

Despite dominating possession at Loftus Road, the visitors were undone twice by poor defending.

"The two goals were disappointing as we had most of the ball," added Lambert. "I was pretty pleased with what we were doing with the ball.

"We just needed to be more clinical. The two goals we lost were shocking, especially when we were on top."