Christian Benteke and manager Nigel Pearson honoured with Barclay award

Striker Christian Benteke and Leicester manager Nigel Pearson honoured after impressing in April

 

Two key protagonists in the battle against relegation were rewarded for their performances last month as Aston Villa's Christian Benteke and Leicester City's Nigel Pearson claimed the monthly player and manager awards from Barclays for April respectively.

Benteke scored five goals for Villa last month, including the winner at Tottenham Hotspur, a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Queens Park Rangers and a goal in the defeat by Manchester United. A strike by the Belgian also helped Villa overcome Liverpool to reach the FA Cup Final.

The striker was voted the winner by the Barclays panel from a shortlist of Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel (both Leicester), John Terry (Chelsea), Ander Herrera (Manchester United) and Charlie Adam (Stoke City).
"I am delighted for him," Villa manager Tim Sherwood told the club's website. "It shows the rest of the boys are doing something right to give him the ammunition to score.

"Christian is obviously doing something right by putting the ball in the back of the net which is the hardest job in football.

 

"I am really pleased for him. We hope he can pick up the gong come the end of the season too."

Pearson won the award for guiding Leicester off the bottom of the Barclays Premier League with four wins in succession, starting with a 2-1 victory over West Ham United. They were unable to earn a fifth win, against Chelsea last week, going down 3-1 after taking the lead.

"When these sorts of days come around it's nice to pick up the award but it's recognition of a collective effort," Pearson told lcfc.com. "We had an outstanding month and we needed to. I'm delighted to accept the award on behalf of everyone at the football club."

The vote went to the Foxes manager over Chelsea's Jose Mourinho (W4 D1), Arsenal Arsene Wenger (W2, D1) and Everton's Roberto Martinez (W3, D1).