The No.9 shirt

[Villafirst]

It's about time it was given to a deserving player. To me it's still iconic and should be worn with pride by a 'proper' forward. Step forward Darren Bent - get rid of the '3' off your shirt! Do you realise the last two incumbents of the shirt have been......Marlon Harewood and Stephen Ireland!! I think it's actually vacant at present, although the little jerk is back from Newcastle. Benty will be a legend and should be remembered as a number 9 whilst at the club. After all, a certain Peter Withe did something special in 1982 as a number 9!! Do you agree?

[Concrete John]

Not sure what number Bent wore at Ipswich/Charlton/Spurs/Sunderland, but to my mind if he wants it then it's his.

[TaxDodger]

Definitely should be Bent. Who was the last quality number 9 we had? Angel?

[Rick_avfc]

The legend that is Darren Bent should be wearing the number 9 shirt 

[Salsa Party Animal]

and new striker can wear no 10:) Gerinvho (I think)

[TheSandman]

I don't think he's worn 9 before in his career.

Seem to remember him wearing 10 and 11 a lot.

That said he bloody well should get it.

[Damo70]

I was going through the Villa number nines since I've been following them. Gray, Withe, Thompson, McInally, Olney, Cascarino, Regis, Saunders, Savo, Dublin, Angel. I remember BFR making a big deal of the tradition of the Villa number nine shirt when he bought Deano. I think Bent has to be given it next season. Maybe Sid can fill him in on some of the history of it.

[Simon Jones]

He said on his twitter in a reply to a tweet that he would like to be no. 9 next season

[darren woolley]

I would love it if Darren Bent got to wear the number 9 shirt he really should wear it he has done enough in his short time here  to wear it in my opinion and has I really like my star striker to wear the number 9 anyway call me old fashioned but I grew up with stories of the famous number nine shirt.

[TheTimVilla]

What number does he wear for England? I think it's 9.

[asgpaul]

Couldn't agree more, I'm very old school with regard to squad numbering etc., couldn't understand why Ireland (or any midfielder to that end) was handed the number 9 shirt in the first place.

Our number 9 is made for Darren Bent.

[Damo70]

Couldn't agree more, I'm very old school with regard to squad numbering etc., couldn't understand why Ireland (or any midfielder to that end) was handed the number 9 shirt in the first place.

Our number 9 is made for Darren Bent.

I think you will find that it's only the number 5 shirt that is specially made for one of our players.

[Villafirst]

I could never quite understand why Marlon Harewood got the No. 9 shirt ahead of big John Carew, after all, he was signed before Harewood. I'm also old school when it comes to the No.9 shirt - it must have hero type status.

[TaxDodger]

I could never quite understand why Marlon Harewood got the No. 9 shirt ahead of big John Carew, after all, he was signed before Harewood. I'm also old school when it comes to the No.9 shirt - it must have hero type status.

Because Angel was our number 9 when we signed Carew.. therefore Carew got 10.

[Villafirst]

I stand corrected! Although I think Angel left before Harewood was signed? In which case big John should've have got the shirt then.