Christian Benteke will return for Aston Villa on Tuesday night following his three-match suspension with Paul Lambert hailing his presence a ‘massive boost’.

Villa have struggled for goals all season, with just seven scored by three different players, but Benteke is ‘one of the best strikers in Europe’, according to Lambert.

Crystal Palace are the opponents at Selhurst Park, the fixture Villa lost last season with assistant manager Ian Culverhouse and coach Gary Karsa suspended in the days after.

Christian Benteke (right) was sent off in Aston Villa's 2-1 defeat against Tottenham in November

Benteke (second left) was shown a red after clashing with Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason

An internal investigation eventually saw the pair sacked.

Victory this time, soon after Roy Keane’s departure as Lambert’s No 2, would do much for morale. Villa have not won since beating Liverpool on September 13 and sit three points off bottom, level with Palace but holding an inferior goal difference.

Benteke, who missed six months with an Achilles rupture before getting sent off against Tottenham for raising his hands at Ryan Mason, could be key.

He has not featured for Villa in a month, but played 28 minutes of Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Wales on November 16. In four appearances prior to getting sent off he showed glimpses of the form that has seen him score 34 goals in 61 games.

Benteke has missed Aston Villa's last three games through suspension because of the red card

Benteke was described by his manager Paul Lambert as one of the best in Europe when he hits form

Lambert (centre) believes Aston Villa would have more goals to celebrate had Benteke been available more

‘When he’s on his game I think he’s one of the best in Europe, let alone Britain,’ said Lambert. ‘I’ve seen some brilliant strikers in my time and when he’s on his game that guy is up there.

‘His match fitness is still going to be down because he hasn’t played for a number of months or so. But when he has played for us he has been fantastic so him coming back will be a massive boost.’

Gabby Agbonlahor has been operating up front in Benteke’s absence, scoring three goals, but could be switched to the wing or a No 10 role.