The striker, 22, has demanded a move — with Tottenham leading the chase.
Yet £25million-rated Belgium ace Benteke hopes the deal can be done this week to avoid heading back to a frosty reception at Villa.
Benteke handed in a transfer request last week in a bid to force his way out after scoring 19 Premier League goals in his top-flight debut.
But club officials also know he effectively went on strike last year when he was at Genk.
An unhappy Benteke missed training sessions when Genk originally rejected Villa’s bids to sign him 11 months ago.
And Villa were able to clinch a £7m move.
But the Midlanders will not stand for a repeat of that behaviour and have the power to dish out a fine of at least a week’s wages — £20,000.
Villa are determined that Benteke will leave only on their terms.
They will reject any attempt by Spurs to sign him in a player-plus-cash deal.