By Aston Villa FC

*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.

Birmingham Mail: Grant Holt admits Christian Benteke's boots are big ones to fill - but the on-loan target man insists he is excited by the challenge of replacing the club's top scorer. Holt scored his first Aston Villa goal in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Villa Park after being chosen to fill the vacancy left by Benteke's crushing injury. The 32-year-old is expected to keep his place spearheading the claret and blues' attack against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday. He has made two starts and five substitute appearances since arriving from Championship club Wigan in January on a short-term deal until the end of the season. Holt is disappointed how his chance has come about and wishes Benteke a speedy recovery from the ruptured achilles he sustained in training last Thursday. But he is determined to make his mark with Paul Lambert's struggling team after being given a surprise opportunity to return to the Premier League stage.

Daily Mirror: Aston Villa striker Grant Holt has vowed to fill the massive void left by Christian Benteke's "cruel" injury after the striker underwent surgery on Monday. Villa and Belgium were last week left reeling by the news Benteke, 23, will be out for at least six months after rupturing his Achilles - ruling him out of the World Cup. Replacement Holt bagged his first Villa goal on Saturday, yet it was not enough to stop them going down 2-1 to Fulham.

Coventry Telegraph: Nathan Delfouneso is determined to show Coventry City fans the qualities that made him a Premier League player in the remaining five games of the season. The 23-year-old Aston Villa striker has had a frustrating loan stint with the Sky Blues so far where he is yet to get going and recapture the sort of form that earned him rave reviews at Villa Park under former manager Martin O'Neill. The fallen star has been trying to work his way back to the top flight to fulfil his early potential that saw him make 31 Premiership starts for City's arch rivals before slipping down the divisions to League One with a string of loan spells.

Best of the Rest

BBC Sport: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says his side can overturn a two-goal deficit against Paris St-Germain to reach the Champions League semi-finals. Javier Pastore's late strike gave the French side a 3-1 win in the first leg at Parc des Princes but the Portuguese boss said his side could progress.

Sky Sports: Stevan Jovetic thinks Manchester City's experience gives them the edge in the title race. The Montenegrin striker has missed a large chunk of his debut campaign in England through injury and has been limited to just two starts.

BBC Sport: Sunderland manager Gus Poyet says "it would be a miracle" if his side avoid relegation from the Premier League. The Black Cats remain bottom of the table after their 5-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.

Advert Advert