Aston Villa defender Leandro Bacuna is concerned that Belgium international striker Christian Benteke will leave the club this summer.

The 24-year-old striker struggled on his return from injury earlier this season but has been excellent since early March, helping Villa move clear of the relegation zone and to an FA Cup final against Arsenal.

Villa are 6.50 to triumph at Wembley while the Gunners can be backed at 1.53 to win the trophy for the second year in a row.

Benteke has scored 12 goals in his last 12 Villa appearances, grabbing a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with QPR as well as netting braces against Everton and Sunderland.

He has now scored 42 goals in 89 Premier League appearances for the club following his arrival from Genk three years ago.

Liverpool have been linked with a summer swoop for Benteke but Bacuna, a £3million capture from FC Groningen two years ago, said: “We spoke about it because my contract is almost finished as well. I told him to do what is best for him as a player.

“He feels like Villa are doing well at the moment with the new manager and you never know what is going to happen next year.

“He has got to make his own decision, of course I will tell him to stay. But I think if a bigger club comes in maybe he will leave.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Ashley Westwood thinks Benteke can be the match-winner on Saturday, saying: “He’s back to his best now, bullying defenders and I’m sure they’ll have sleepless nights, they won’t want to be playing against him.”