Villa want £25million from Tottenham for Benteke, 22, but Spurs think that is unrealistic and are set to make a £20m bid this week.
Benteke went on strike to force through a move from Genk to Villa last year.
A Villa Park source said: “Paul Lambert will not be bullied. Look what he did to Darren Bent. He is the club’s record signing, but Paul did what he thought was best.”