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Christian Benteke thanked Aston Villa’s long-suffering fans for their loyalty through “hard times” – even though he may have played his last game for them.

Battering ram Benteke has a £32.5million release clause in his contract, and Liverpool are heading the race to activate it.

But the Belgian striker, who recaptured his best form when manager Tim Sherwood arrived in February, hinted he could stick around for another season after Villa’s Wembley blow-out against Arsenal.

Benteke said: “When you play in a final, you come with a lot of hope, so to lose like this is a big disappointment.

“Arsenal were better than us. We need to realise the truth, and it’s a sad day for the players and fans.

(Image: Christopher Lee - The FA)

“I would like to thank the fans for their support throughout the season because we had some hard times.

“If you want to take something positive, it’s the fact we are safe. Now we can look forward to try to build something strong.”

Defender Jores Okore admitted Villa face a shake-up under Sherwood this summer after surviving a fourth consecutive battle against the drop.

With owner Randy Lerner - who sat next to royal Villa fan Prince William at the Cup final – looking to sell, and question marks over Benteke’s future, the mid-horizon is shrouded in uncertainty.

In pictures - Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa:

Okore said: “This is a really big summer for Aston Villa – Tim is going to come in with his own plans, his own ideas and his own players, so it will be exciting to see what it will look like next season.

“Hopefully we can get out of the relegation battle we have been in over the past few years, become a mid-table team and develop from there.

“I won’t be happy if we struggle again – I hope we can do some good investment (in the squad) and help the team to succeed.

“Hopefully we will do what is necessary to keep Christian at the club, keep him happy and fulfil all of his interests because he is such a big player for us.

(Image: David Price)

“It looks like he will stay here. I don’t think they will find somebody else to replace him. Then we can work on that basis, but as a team we have a lot to do and a lot to learn.”

Skipper Fabian Delph believes Sherwood will recruit fresh blood to instil a “winning mentality” at a club who lost their way under Alex McLeish and Paul Lambert.

Delph said: “A few weeks ago we would have snapped your hand off to stay in the Premier League and reach the FA Cup final.

“Now it’s important that we get a winning mentality – we have to forget about this, and some players will be coming through the door to strengthen us. I’m sure we will get better and better.”