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London - Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert said Christian Benteke's dip in form had come at just the wrong time for his goal-shy side.
The Birmingham club are the lowest scorers in all four English professional divisions with just 11 league goals this term and were thrashed 5-0 by Arsenal last weekend.
Belgium striker Benteke has failed to score in his last six Premier League outings and has managed just two top-flight goals since recovering from an Achilles injury in October.
That setback saw him miss last year's World Cup in Brazil and also potentially cost him a lucrative move to a bigger club.
"If I had Christian Benteke right on his game, performing when back from injury, I'm pretty sure I'd have a long list of clubs knocking down the door for him," Lambert said.
"He's had a dip in form, he's human like everyone else. We can't rest everything on his shoulders.
"We're working hard to get him back to what we know he can do.
"You don't have the talent he's got and fall that far. Everyone has dips in form, it's more noticeable in him," the Scot added.
Villa central defenders Ron Vlaar and Philippe Senderos are set to miss Saturday's match through injury but Scott Sinclair could make a first start since arriving on loan from Manchester City.
