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Premier League: Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert calls for goals from Tom Cleverley

Image: Tom Cleverley: Villa boss Paul Lambert wants him to start finding the net

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has called on midfielder Tom Cleverley to start finding the net now that Christian Benteke is back to full fitness.

With Fabian Delph ruled out through injury for the next two months the pressure is on the on-loan Manchester United player to take more responsibility.

And with Benteke back from his long-term Achilles injury which ruled him out of the World Cup, the Scot believes the Belgian striker can be the perfect decoy for Cleverley to break from the middle of the park and score goals.

With just one goal in 35 appearances for United last season - against Villa in December - Lambert knows it's something the former Wigan man needs to work on.

"I think getting to the box is his strength," Lambert told the Daily Mirror. "Tom can hit the box and, with Benteke back, I'm looking for him to make wee runs off him.

"So, yes, we're looking for Tom to chip in with a few goals. He's getting better and better, game by game, for us.

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"It would be nice if he could go on a bit of a goal-scoring run for us now."

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