Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood believes Christian Benteke wants to stay.

After scoring 15 goals this campaign thanks to a late-season surge, those big name sides are again being strongly linked with a move for the powerful striker, but manager Sherwood is hopeful he will stay put.

"Christian is only a young man but he's very mature in the way he behaves," he said. "I think he's handled the situation well.

"I have no reason to believe he wants to seek employment elsewhere. He seems to be very happy here and this morning, at training, he was smiling.

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

Sherwood added: "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."