Villa manager Gerard Houllier has today told Sunderland boss Steve Bruce that the club have acted properly over the transfer of Darren Bent.

Bruce launched a stinging attack on Houllier because the Frenchman did not personally telephone the Sunderland manager to discuss the transfer.

The Black Cats boss felt Houllier should have contacted him about Bent “out of respect” and that it had been left him in a “difficult situation” with only 10 days of the transfer window to go.

But Houllier maintained that Villa behaved in the correct manner over the £24million deal for Bent, with negotiations taking place at boardroom level.

He said: “We have done things extremely right, properly, the right way. Paul Faulkner, our chief executive, was in contact with Niall Quinn.

“I was kept informed, step by step, during the negotiations and I would assume Niall did the same with Steve Bruce, unless he didn’t.

“I was surprised by some of the declarations and thought that some people are not telling the truth. Whether they want to protect themselves from the fans, I don’t know.

“We are happy to have the player, they had the right to say no, but in fact, they just wanted the player for a certain bid.”

Houllier also admitted that he would not change his approach towards transfers in the future and does not have any problem with Bruce despite his comments.

The Villa boss said: “I have not spoken to Steve – and I won’t. I may have a drink after the games. I am not bearing grudges.

“This is stupid. If I call him and say I want his player, he will go vocal and go public and it will be even worse.

“He is working for the interests of Sunderland, I am working for the interests of Aston Villa.

“Now the big transfers are done between chairman and chairman, our chairman was in touch with their chairman between chief executives and the board.

“But we are kept informed step by step.”

Houllier also dismissed speculation linking Stephen Ireland with a move to Newcastle on loan.

The out-of-favour midfielder is currently out with a knee injury but Houllier insisted there had been no contact from the club over a possible temporary move.

He added: “We have heard nothing about Stephen.”