PAUL LAMBERT had warned that his new giant striker Christian Benteke would terrify defences this season.
And the 6ft 3in Belgian bruiser took just 17 minutes to put the frighteners on Swans defender Ashley Williams and seal Villa’s first win of the season.
Coming on as a second-half sub, the £7million deadline-day signing from Genk punished Williams’ woeful back-header.
Benteke clipped the ball past keeper Michel Vorm to begin to repay Lambert’s investment.
It completed a miserable afternoon for skipper Williams, whose first-half clearance had been returned in spectacular fashion by right-back Matthew Lowton to send them to a first defeat under Michael Laudrup.
Maybe the doom merchants who feared another season of struggle for Villa after losing their opening two league games spoke too soon.
Lambert said: “Christian was unplayable when he came on.
“He was an absolute threat but he is only 21 and still learning.
“This first win is mammoth. We were excellent from the off and we deserved it against a side who have been flying.”
Benteke should have opened his account even earlier but miscued when Darren Bent headed the ball back from the goal-line.
