Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert denies rift with Darren Bent

[peter w]

This is no more than Lambert making his point. If Bent doesn't like it then he'll learn that he isn't bigger than the club. And, ultimately, the manager calls the shots. The big shot England striker doesn't.

[bilsim]

I don't see Bent going anywhere, mainly because the only clubs that could afford him are too good for him.

[Percy McCarthy]

I think he'd be good at Stoke or West Ham.

[Dave]

I think he'd be good at Stoke or West Ham.

I don't think either of them would pay what we would ask for him though.

[N'ZMAV]

I think the bigger clubs probably realise he isn't that good a footballer.

[Percy McCarthy]

Dave: maybe, maybe not. They might be quite flush, and we might not want an unreasonable amount, given that his resale value will diminish rapidly over the next couple of years.

[Aston Villa]

Dave: maybe, maybe not. They might be quite flush, and we might not want an unreasonable amount, given that his resale value will diminish rapidly over the next couple of years.

You'd think we would demand around 15m for him. Maybe 12m if he tries to force the issue?

[not3bad]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/121022/bent-admits-discontent-aston-villa-rotation-role-183596

[Walmley_Villa]

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/121022/bent-admits-discontent-aston-villa-rotation-role-183596

A rehash of his interview on SSN this morning from the open day. At the end of the day what is he supposed to say, I'm happy being out of the team etc...?

[Phil from the upper holte]

This stripped of the captaincy bollocks is doing my head in

[Rotterdam]

A chap I am good mates with told me at golf on saturday that Bent was looking for a move in the summer; he had instructed his agent to put the feelers out. The upshot is he most likely will be off in the Jan window, if not, when Carroll moves to WH (if they stay up) Liverpool will then come in for him with the money from the Carroll move.

[Toronto Villa]

I can see Liverpool being the only club that will be willing to buy him that he'd consider going to. They need a finisher because they have several creative players. As much as we have been crying out for a Darren Bent type player, he's only as effective as the supply he receives. Stick him in a side with Ash and Downing he'll score loads. I don't think Lambert or the club want to sell him, but it may be better to get the money and avoid the constant distraction.

Today's article is just another example of what to expect for the rest of the season as long we don't find a way to help him score goals or if he simply doesn't get picked every week. We are an easy target for the media. Other clubs rotate all the time but little Villa shouldn't be doing it or can't afford to apparently. If Bent stays through January and we buy to make him productive then great. If not, then we get the most we can for him and hopefully continue the development of the team and squad beyond the individual.

[Brian Taylor]

He has no future with us. Take the money and use it well!

[VillaAlways]

He has no future with us. Take the money and use it well!

Yes, because when we've sold our best players in the past we have always come out better for it.How about we play to Bents strengths instead ?
I really don't get that how anybody can think that selling Bent can somehow improve us , when we have nobody else who can score goals
Maybe I'm missing something

[ROBBO]

Very difficult to spend any money well in our position,no quality prem player would give us the time of day unless by January the manager has worked a miracle and got us in the top half. Players move for two reasons money and prestiige, we are no longer offering silly wages so the first is a no go and our prospects of a good season are improbable.