Darren Bent pledges future to Villa

Thursday 21st July 2011, 11:38AM BST.

Darren Bent pledges future to Villa

Villa striker Darren Bent has pledged his future to the club despite the “big loss” of star wingers Stewart Downing and Ashley Young.

The club-record signing admitted the quality of the club’s wide men was one of the reasons he decided to leave Sunderland to join the claret and blues in the January transfer window.

But the 27-year-old striker is confident Villa still possess enough quality in their squad to improve on last season’s ninth-placed finish.

He said: “It’s a big loss, you can’t dispute that. Ashley was here for a long time and they are both going to be a big miss, you can’t hide from that fact.

“I was in Ashley’s ear every day, texting him every day, and when we were away with England I was on his case all the time. I just kept texting him ‘one more year’ for weeks and weeks.

“At the same time, I fully understand. It’s Manchester United at the end of the day – the biggest team in the world, so I wish him good luck and hope he does really well.

“I always seem to have found a way to score goals regardless of the service. As I said, you can’t replace Stewart and Ashley because they’re two top players.

“We’ve got some fantastic players in the squad now, people who are only going to get better and that’s only going to help me as well.”

Bent insisted he is fully committed to the Villa cause.

He said: “I wouldn’t say it has affected me with the club. It’s still a fantastic club to play for and has a massive fanbase.

“I’m more than happy to be here and play for Aston Villa football club. It’s a terrific football club and I’d like to be here for the long haul.”

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  1. 1
    bilbrookwolves

    So he should pledge his future he has only been there 12 months and is probably on close to £100k a week. I would pledge my future to that

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    Glen

    Thanks for that – nice of you!

    On a serious note, I would stick Delfouneso up front with Bent and let Gabby stew on the bench. The kid is keen and hungry, Gabby has a chip on his shoulder and thinks hes made it!Give Albrighton his chance too – and make a cheeky bid to get Milner back!

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    Iansmithwolves

    How good does this joker think he is? Who else would buy him?

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    mike

    Ha ha Bent – he’d “like to be here for the long haul”, not “i WILL be here for the long haul”. Money grabber. He’ll be off as soon as he gets the whiff or more ca$h.!!!

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    ak

    who are wolves anyway

    Report abuse



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