Aston Villa transfers: Darren Bent set to consider future
Aston Villa transfers: Darren Bent says he will weigh up his Villa Park future at the end of the season
Darren Bent has admitted he may need to leave Aston Villa in the summer to secure regular first-team football next season.
The England international has been limited to just seven Premier League starts this term, scoring two goals in the English top flight.
With Paul Lambert opting against using Bent despite the club’s relegation woes, the forward’s future at Villa Park looks in serious doubt.
The 29-year-old, who signed in a £24m deal in 2011, still has two years remaining on his current deal but intends to assess his future in the coming months.
“I’m going to have to take a long, hard look at it. My situation,” Bent said.
“It’s no secret. I need to play football, I need to play games.
“I’ve enjoyed my time at Aston Villa and loved every minute of it. I’ve obviously got a good relationship with the fans and the football club.
“But it is about playing games and, at my age, I can’t have another season like the one that I’ve had because time is running out.
“I’ve got two years after this one so I’ve still got a long time. But for me it’s all about playing football matches and I’m not really one of these guys who wants to sit there, not do anything and then get paid.
“I want to play football. I want to contribute and enjoy playing. I won’t ask to go but at the same time I have to sit down with the manager, the chairman and my agent and just go from there.”
