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Villa release Darren Bent and Enda Stevens

Aston Villa have released record signing Darren Bent together with full-back Enda Stevens.

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It started well - re-live Darren Bent's debut goal for Aston Villa against Manchester City on home turf in in January 2011.

Striker Bent joined the claret and blues for £24million from Sunderland in January 2011 and was instrumental in keeping the club in the Premier League under Gerard Houllier.

But after losing his first-team place under Paul Lambert, he finished the past season on loan at Derby County. In total, he scored 25 goals in 72 total appearances for Villa.

Irishman Stevens was signed by then manager Alex McLeish back in January 2012, but struggled to become a first-team regular.

Under-21 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.