Premier League Team of the Week: Hat-trick hero Benteke stars

The Aston Villa striker helped give his side an enormous boost in their battle to avoid the drop with a superb performance against Sunderland, while Liverpool also feature heavily

He had to wait until Monday night to do it but Christian Benteke stole the Premier League show this weekend with a hat-trick as Aston Villa thumped Sunderland 6-1.

The Belgian was at his brilliant best as he inspired the Villans to an emphatic win that gave their survival hopes a massive boost as they moved five points clear of the drop zone with just three games left to play.

Partnering Benteke in attack is Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge, who was in the goals too as the Reds also hit six against Newcastle, to end what manager Brendan Rodgers called a “difficult week” on a high.

Liverpool team-mate Phillippe Coutinho was the inspiration for Rodgers’ men at St James’ Park and he takes his place in our TOTW with fellow Red Jordan Henderson.

Joining the Anfield duo in midfield are Chelsea’s Eden Hazard – who was at his flamboyant best as the Blues beat Swansea to move third in the table – and Tom Huddlestone, who impressed as Tottenham grabbed a point at Wigan.

In defence, Cesar Azpilicueta and Jose Enrique appear as our full-backs while Phil Jagielka and Daniel Agger make up the central-defensive partnership, with the entire back four keeping clean sheets at the weekend.

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer completes the line-up after making important stops from Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar and Ross Barkley as Martin Jol’s men lost narrowly at Everton.

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