One of the most interested battles today will be the match up between the two Belgium centre forwards. Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke. Both have continued this season in the same rich vein of form they produced throughout last year and appear to be competing for one place in the starting line-up for the Belgium World Cup side. Lukaku is the current man in possession, but Benteke showed glimpses in his come back game against Spurs last week (Benteke has been absent with a groin injury) that he is determined to push the Everton loanee all the way.
Romelu Lukaku
Height 1.9m
Weight 14st 11lbs
Age 20
Premier League games 48
Premier League goals 21
Yellow/red cards 3/0
International caps 23
International goals 6
Christian Benteke
Height 1.9m
Weight 13st 1lb
Age 22
Premier League games 40
Premier League goals 23
Yellow/red cards 9/1
International caps 14
International goals 6
Lukaku this week spoke about his friendship with his striking rival, but was adamant that the friendship would be on hold as soon as the game kicks off on Saturday.
“I will say ‘hello’ when I see him because that is the respect I have for him. But then it’s game time, it’s time to win and time to perform. After there is no more friends, there is just Aston Villa versus Everton and I hope we can win.”
“The first time I played against him was in the reserves…when I was 15 and he was 18 and already playing in the first team of Genk. They came down with quite a strong team. It was a good game and I played against him at the same level the next year, and then later on when I’d broken into the first team. So we’ve played each other quite a few times. It’s nothing new.” Romelu Lukaku speaking to EvertonTV
Graphic from the Independent Newspaper
St Domingos 