Tim Sherwood 'convinced' Benteke will stay at Aston Villa

Tim Sherwood doesn't need to speak with Christian Benteke to know that the Belgian international is committed to staying with Aston Villa.

Benteke has been linked with a move away from the club after yet another strong finish to the Premier League campaign, but Sherwood is confident the striker will don the claret and blue next season.

"I have no reason to believe he wants to seek employment elsewhere," Sherwood told reporters ahead of Villa's encounter with Burnley on Sunday. "He seems to be very happy here and this morning, at training, he was smiling.

"He knows there are big games coming up on Sunday and the cup final and I think he wants to be at this football club. I'm convinced of that.

"I'd believe him if he told me he wanted to be at this club next season, but he hasn't told me because I haven't actually asked him the question."

Sherwood's arrival at Villa Park in February coincided with Benteke's blistering scoring run. Following a rather slow start to the season, the 24-year-old has registered 11 goals in his last 10 Premier League matches.

His rejuvenated presence in attack also helped Villa book a place in the FA Cup final, where they will look to capture their first title in the tournament since 1957 during a clash with Arsenal on May 30 at Wembley Stadium.