Tim Sherwood will consider selling Christian Benteke this summer if Aston Villa’s star striker insists he wants to leave the club.

Benteke has two years left on his contract once this season is completed and harbours ambitions to play in Europe.

Sherwood said the Belgium international had given no suggestion he would like a transfer away and appeared to be enjoying his football at Villa Park. But the Villa manager admitted that, were the 24-year-old to demand a move, as he did two years ago, he would be inclined to sanction it. Villa are believed to value Benteke at upwards of £25million and Wolfsburg have monitored his situation. Benteke has scored eight goals in his last six matches.

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke could be sold in the summer if he wants to go, says boss Tim Sherwood

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract but harbours ambitions to play in Europe

Sherwood said there would likely be talks over Benteke’s £50,000-a-week contract during the summer

‘We don’t want to sell our best players,’ said Sherwood. ‘I also want players who want to play at the football club.

‘He’s made no indication to me that he wants to play elsewhere. If he does then we will assess the situation but we want to keep him at the club.

‘You can’t force any player, I’ve been one myself. You might as well take the money because you end up without the money or the player if you don’t take it.’

Sherwood said there would likely be talks over Benteke’s £50,000-a-week contract during the summer. ‘I know better how Tottenham went about their business regarding their contracts. I’m not too sure how they go about it here,’ said Sherwood. ‘But it’s certainly something that will have to be addressed. You don’t really want players going into the last 18 months of their contract, he’s someone for the long-term future and you need to protect your interests.’

Sherwood accepts winning the FA Cup, meaning a place in the Europa League, could help. ‘That would put everyone in a good mood, not only Christian,’ he said. ‘I think he is enjoying his time here and everyone is seeing that. He is a top player. We have a lot of top players in here and no-one wants to fight relegation. If we can get through this season we will build something where we are going to step upwards — we won’t be in that position again.’

Sherwood also wants to wipe any smile from Raheem Sterling’s face by causing an FA Cup shock at Wembley on Sunday.

Benteke (second left) scored the only goal of the game as Villa won 1-0 at Tottenham on April 11

That goal at White Hart Lane was the Belgium international's eighth in his last six games for club and country

Footage this week emerged showing the Liverpool forward inhaling nitrous oxide, a legal high commonly known as laughing gas because it creates feelings of euphoria.

Sherwood said: ‘Let’s hope he’s not laughing after Sunday.’

The Villa boss knows his ambitions to beat Liverpool and reach the FA Cup final may rest on taming Sterling, a player he tried to sign for Tottenham’s academy as a schoolboy.

The 20-year-old is enduring a tough time off the pitch, in a contract stand-off with Liverpool and coming under question for his recreational activities. Sherwood added: ‘I have a wee bit of sympathy. I am not condoning it, but he is a young man, isn’t he? He obviously has fortunes but is growing up like everyone else. It is tough in the public eye.’

Raheem Sterling (right) was pictured smoking a shisha pipe with team-mate Jordon Ibe earlier this season

Another Liverpool player Sherwood discussed on Friday was Steven Gerrard, whose birthday falls on the FA Cup final on May 30. Those associated with the Merseyside club feel an ideal silverware send-off is brewing before Gerrard heads to LA Galaxy.

‘Believe it or not it’s not about spoiling the party for Steven Gerrard,’ insisted Sherwood. ‘It’s about what we can do. To be honest we’re hoping he’s on his holiday in May.’

Sherwood played against a teenage Gerrard in his latter days and hailed the 34-year-old’s clear talent from the off. He added: ‘I’m sure Steven could still do a job for a Premier League side but I’m not sure he can go and play for anyone other than Liverpool. He can earn £1 a week or £200,000, he’ll still play the same way. That’s a dying breed — there aren’t many of them about.’

Liverpool have captain Steven Gerrard (centre) back for the FA Cup semi after serving a three-match ban

Sherwood has led a Villa resurgence since taking over in February, steering the club away from relegation danger and into this Wembley showpiece. They are on a run of four wins in seven. He believes his team can upset favourites Liverpool. ‘It’s a very exciting game, a great opportunity for this club to get to an FA Cup final,’ he said. ‘I’ve lost semi-finals myself, not a great feeling.

‘We’re going in with a positive state of mind. This club’s relegation is not at stake, it is about us maybe getting some glory for the football club.

‘We have the mindset to win the game, impose ourselves on a very good Liverpool side. We have a good blend of players who can play and maybe go direct at times. We’re prepared to mix it up, we have a plan.’