Club that cannot stop scoring lets yesterday's man go forth.

[Damo70]

I wouldn't be surprised to see him pitch up at Smethwick.

If they can sign Kanu and Anelka, Bent would be a positively forward thinking signing for them.

No chance. They go for cheap young prolific goalscorers now. Ideye - 10 million, and 4 goals in 22. Anichebe - 6 million and 5 goals in 43. Only 26 and 27 years old so plenty of time to blossom into world beaters.

[eamonn]

Just not since Lambert finished with him.

So we're agreed that your previous post was totally incorrect.

I know you often like re-quoting yourself from old threads but I'm afraid I don't keep up with everything you post. My initial comment was a little flippant but also based on the recent discussion on Bent, i.e. this thread, where I don't recall you saying anything good about him.

[PeterWithesShin]

If you don't read everything I post maybe you shouldn't make a statement about things you have no idea if i've said or not.

[eamonn]

Ok, noted for the future.

[PeterWithesShin]

Birmingham Mail

Darren Bent is facing a summer of uncertainty after Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood decided not to recall him to first-team training.

The striker’s loan deal at Derby County is over following the Rams’ failure to make the play-offs and now he must wait to see whether his deal at Villa Park will be extended beyond next month.

Talks have taken place previously and both Bent and Sherwood are likely to sit down at the end of the term to discuss the future.

But unlike fellow loanees Gary Gardner, Joe Bennett and Callum Robinson, the striker will not have the chance to impress the boss at Bodymoor Heath ahead of next season.

None of the above can feature for Villa again this term but Sherwood said:

“(Some of them) will come back before the end of the season.

“I know all about Darren so he’ll go on holiday (now).

“I don’t need him back, I can’t play him any way.

“These other boys I need to find out about, I need to assess them at close hands.

“I don’t need to know anything about Darren Bent.”

That could spell the end of Bent’s time at Villa in what has been a hit and miss move.

The record signing performed well for Gerard Houllier and became Lambert’s captain when he first arrived.

But the ex-England man was then frozen out by the Scot and forced to look for regular football elsewhere.

Sherwood has not yet ruled out the possibility of a contract extension after watching Bent bag 12 goals in 17 appearances for Derby but the possibility is starting to look less likely.

Any new deal would mean a significant cut on his current £70k-a-week wages.

[joe_c]

I'm still convinced he could play an important role this season. He must have some contacts for cup final tickets.

[PeterWithesShin]

Darren Bent and Enda Stevens have both been released by Villa.

Bent and Stevens are at the end of their claret and blue contracts and are now on free transfers.

Bent joined in January 2011 in a record-breaking deal from Sunderland.

He scored on his debut against Manchester City in an enthralling 1-0 victory at Villa Park.

Bent went on an inspired run of form at the beginning of his claret and blue career, including goals at the Emirates in a 2-0 win for Villa - and he also netted in games against Manchester United, Bolton and Everton to guide the club to a ninth-place finish.

He completed the term as joint top scorer with nine goals in 16 Barclays Premier League appearances, despite only joining in the New Year transfer window.

Even though he missed the last three months of the season due to injury, striker Bent still did well in the 2011-12 term.

He once again found himself at the top of the club's scoring charts, finishing the season with 10 in 25 appearances.

Bent didn't feature much under Paul Lambert - as the then boss brought in Christian Benteke, who generally partnered the likes of Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann.

He spent the previous season on loan at both Brighton and Derby County.

In total, Bent scored 25 goals in 72 appearances.

Stevens joined Villa from Shamrock Rovers in January 2012.

The deal to sign Stevens was agreed back in August 2011, but the Republic of Ireland U21 starlet remained with the League of Ireland champions to participate in their Europa League campaign.

One of former manager Alex McLeish's first signings, Stevens collected nine appearances in total in claret and blue - including starting against Man Utd in November 2012 in the absence of Joe Bennett and Eric Lichaj.

During his time with us, he spent time on loan at Notts County, Doncaster and Northampton.

U21 players Graham Burke, Alfie Crooks, Craig Hill, Brad Lewis, Isaac Nehemie, Daniel O'Brien, Thomas Strain and Courtney Wildin have also been released alongside academy youngsters Dylan Forth, Harry Lewis and Ryan Strain.

Villa have offered a new contract to Ron Vlaar, whose previous deal expires at the end of this month.

Chris Herd, whose contract also expires at the end of this month, will be monitored during pre-season by Tim Sherwood after completing his injury rehabilitation over the summer.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Cost us just over a million quid per goal for Bent then, wages excluded

[PeterWithesShin]

And saved us way more than his transfer fee by keeping us up 2 seasons running. I'm glad he's gone, but he goes with my best wishes.

[LTA]

Best of luck Darren.  Thanks for keeping us up in 2010/2011 and didn't deserve the disgraceful treatment you received in Lamberts reign of terror.

[joe_c]

[Chico Hamilton III]

didn't deserve the disgraceful treatment you received in Lamberts reign of terror.

Yep -  like farming Bent out on loan and then getting Grant Holt in on loan? I'd almost forgotten how much of a useless twat Lambert really was

[Risso]

didn't deserve the disgraceful treatment you received in Lamberts reign of terror.

Yep -  like farming Bent out on loan and then getting Grant Holt in on loan? I'd almost forgotten how much of a useless twat Lambert really was

Was Bent a proper man though? You know, kind of broad at the shoulders and slim at the hips.

[robbo1874]

I'd give him (bent) a season on a pay as you play deal, with bonuses for goals scored.

We'd see how 'young and hungry' he is then.

If he really backed himself to come good, then why not take it?

Not like arsenal, Chelsea, or, erm, Albion will come sniffing is it?

[LeeB]

didn't deserve the disgraceful treatment you received in Lamberts reign of terror.

Yep -  like farming Bent out on loan and then getting Grant Holt in on loan? I'd almost forgotten how much of a useless twat Lambert really was

Was Bent a proper man though? You know, kind of broad at the shoulders and slim at the hips.

Weirdly, I always thought there was something slightly effete in Darren Bent.

Maybe his beard was a little too neat.