Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has urged striker Christian Benteke to end speculation over his future and sign a new long term deal at the club.

The Belgian forward has been in blistering form since the new manager took charge at Villa Park in February, with Saturday’s latest brace against Everton taking his tally to 11 goals in his last nine matches.

This surge in form is a far cry from the 24-year-old’s early-season woes, when injuries and a lack of goals meant the frontman looked a shadow of the player who had lit up Villa Park in the previous two campaigns.

Sherwood has now asked his in-form striker to join midfielder Fabian Delph in committing his long term future to the Villans.

He said: “Maybe Aston Villa is a club they want to show loyalty to. Let’s hope they all follow suit. But I believe even if we didn’t make a signing we wouldn’t be in this position again.”

England international Delph surprised many by signing a new four-year-deal at Villa Park in January and Sherwood has praised the combative midfielder’s clear commitment to the club.

He continued: “I can’t think of too many footballers who would have signed a four-year deal like Fabian Delph did when he could have gone to the top four.”

Any decision on Benteke’s long term future in the Midlands is likely to be put on hold until the summer with Villa still embroiled in a relegation battle, as well as having an FA Cup final date with Arsenal to look forward to at Wembley on May 30.

The Villans are currently in 14th position in the Premier League table but remain only two points above the relegation zone going into the final few fixtures in the campaign and they are available at 13.00 to be relegated come the end of the season.