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Darren Bent: Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert stands by omission

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments244

No problems with Bent - Lambert

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert insists he has "no problem whatsoever" with Darren Bent after omitting the club's record signing from the matchday squad.

The £24m forward was in the stands for the 1-0 win over Reading at Villa Park in Tuesday's Premier League encounter.

"Darren Bent just has to play well and train well," said the Villa manager.

"He has a future, everybody has. I've got nothing against anybody in the club, I've got 25 lads to look after. I don't have any problem with anybody."

When asked by BBC Sport's Pat Murphy, Lambert denied Bent had left Villa Park after finding out he was not on the teamsheet, before being coaxed back to the ground.

"I just read the team out - there is nothing whatsoever in that," he said.

"I've got a football club to try to look after. I'm delighted for the team - we won the game."

Bent, bought in January 2011 by then Villa manager Gerard Houllier, has made nine league appearances so far this season - three as substitute - and has scored twice.

The England striker, 28, was omitted from last weekend's squad to face Arsenal and has had to play a minor role of late with Lambert preferring Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor up front.

The former Norwich boss started with 21-year-old Belgian Benteke alongside Andreas Weimann and Agbonlahor against Reading.

And Benteke settled the outcome against Reading 10 minutes from time when he rose above Sean Morrison to head in.

"He's done fantastic for me. He was up against a big lad. It was a fantastic header," added Lambert.

Reading will keep going - McDermott

"Bent and Benteke can play together - they did against Southampton. We got beat 4-1.

"I've got to pick a team I think will win. It's my decision and it's always going to be the case."

Villa's third league win of the season lifted them out of the relegation zone and left Reading second from bottom - four points from safety.

Reading manager Brian McDermott said his side's league position was not a fair reflection of their current form.

"I thought we were going to nick the game," he told BBC Sport.

"We had a couple of good opportunities in the first half, and then Adam Le Fondre had a chance after the break.

"It's an unforgiving league, we know that. We have to stick together. We all have to keep going as a group . We don't feel we've had our rewards, but that'll come our way."

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244 comments

  • Comment posted by Just passing comment, at 10:47 28 Nov 2012

    I surprised people haven't mentioned the obvious conspiracy theory: Bent was signed for £18m rising to £24m based on appearances. Bent is coming towards that limit and another couple of games will mean that Villa have to fork out £6m to Sunderland.

    Its plain economics. The current market value is £12m. If Villa play him now, then Sunderland will get half of that fee.

  • Comment posted by U14097593, at 08:49 28 Nov 2012

    Obvious personality clash as Lambert didn't tolerate any egos at Norwich. Bent thinks he's an A-lister because he hangs about with all the non-entity mag brigade.

  • Comment posted by hackabusi, at 09:29 28 Nov 2012

    2001–2005 Ipswich Town 122 (48)
    2005–2007 Charlton Athletic 68 (31)
    2007–2009 Tottenham Hotspur 60 (18)
    2009–2011 Sunderland 58 (32)
    2011– Aston Villa 47 (20)

    you simply can't have him on the bench - anyone that doesn't rate Bent must not watch football - @Alan overpaid prima donna that scores - what team wouldn't want a player that scores goals! bizarre!

  • Comment posted by tommybrusher, at 11:36 28 Nov 2012

    Darren Bent has a can't lose situation on his hands here. If he plays and is not given the service the team is at fault. If he is supplied with gilt edged chances and scores it's because he's the best thing since sliced bread.

    Houllier hit he panic button and spent 20mill + on a luxury tap in specialist. Lambert is building a young hard working side at Villa and "Benty" is set for another move.

  • Comment posted by donnyvillan, at 12:39 28 Nov 2012

    Mcleish's team was mostly made up of poor, overpaid established players, struggling for form yet still being picked. Given, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Hutton, and yes, Bent. Lamberts side, though clearly struggling, are hungry, young, talented, and can only improve. Could obviously do with a few experienced players around them, but it bodes well for the future, just need to stay up this season.

  • Comment posted by U15521437, at 00:37 29 Nov 2012

    I don't see what the problem is. Given was dropped after a poor performance against Everton...Guzan's replaced him and has performed well. Villa lost 4-1 at Southampton, Bent and Benteke both played and things didn't click.

    Lambert said he wants to pick a team he thinks will win. I believe that's what he's doing. Forget price tags or experience. I trust his judgment.

  • Comment posted by U15521236, at 20:38 28 Nov 2012

    I've seen Bent play for Villa this season and it shows that he doesn't care. He doesn't want to leave the 18 yard box for anything and Villa need a player like Benteke who will come and work for the ball on the halfway line. Sell him in January and get as much as we can for him.

  • Comment posted by romeo, at 19:08 28 Nov 2012

    He only scores around 20 goals a season!!! He must be rubbish!!!

  • Comment posted by U15520978, at 18:18 28 Nov 2012

    bent was always over rated in my eyes and now hes not getting first picks hes acting like a kid in the play ground.

    well done to lambert for not picking him cos off his SUPPOSED £24m price tag as he his no where near he best striker villa have got

    keep him out if you wanna stay up villa

  • Comment posted by tommybrusher, at 17:56 28 Nov 2012

    220 If the plan is to sell Bent in January then Lambert can't come out running Bent down in his press conferences, even if he would like to. He wants the best deal for the club so he can re invest as he wants.
    In the meantime he is showing the future of Villa that he takes no prisoners reputation wise. He is also showing great faith in the young squad and has got them trying to play football.

  • Comment posted by U15345509, at 17:02 28 Nov 2012

    Brendan Rodgers if you just happen to be reading this
    please note We do not want this Sick Note at Anfield !!

  • Comment posted by Spaced Invader, at 16:21 28 Nov 2012

    204. mikeb ;why does the man have to justify his selection to any one?

    ----

    Because 30,000+ people turn up each home game to watch their team and pay his salary. Do you understand football at all?

  • Comment posted by U15255349, at 16:19 28 Nov 2012

    Bent's one of those annoying players who does nothing for 89mins then pops up and scores a goal,he's lazy and as a footballer i don't rate him,but he scores goals which is what its all about

  • Comment posted by John Firth, at 16:12 28 Nov 2012

    Time for Bent to go on Twitter and lambast the club until he gets a transfer.

  • Comment posted by The Harv, at 15:55 28 Nov 2012

    Apparently if Bent makes another 4 league apps for Villa then they have to pay Sunderland another £5m as a clause in the transfer. Perhaps they see that as bad business and want to save the cash. Bent will be off-loaded in Jan, probably to Liverpool or QPR. Just a thought.

  • Comment posted by smudger666, at 15:52 28 Nov 2012

    @ 196

    Did we really get value from the sales off Downing Milner and Young.

    Seriously??!! You got £20m for Downing and hes bobbins, and you got £30m for Milner. What more do you want?? World record fees for these guys?? Blimey......

  • Comment posted by U15247029, at 14:07 28 Nov 2012

    Lambert picks the team and will do so until he leaves or is sacked. If he gets the selection right he will succeed - if not he won't. How many posting on here know these guys- the managers and players? We don't know their attitudes, personalities etc etc- not to mention tactics. In what way are we qualified or so suitably informed that we can say that Lambert is right or wrong not to select Bent?

  • Comment posted by Stoke Prior Andy, at 13:33 28 Nov 2012

    On previous evidence I think 'Arry is more likely to sign his Missus than Bent

  • Comment posted by gilescorey, at 13:08 28 Nov 2012

    Maybe I've got this wrong but isn't it the job of the manager to pick the team? After all, he's the one whose job is on the line. Give Mr. Lambert a chance - signs are we're getting there, and NO individual is bigger than the team. I know it's a commodity in short supply these days, but as a Villa fan of more than 50 years I just say to my fellow Villa fans - PATIENCE!!

  • Comment posted by maze, at 13:01 28 Nov 2012

    I commend Lambert for displaying some old school man management skills. Darren Bent's behaviour and body language has always suggested he does not work hard enough in training or on the field. Paul Lambert should stick to Benteke who works far more harder for the team...Darren bent eat your heart out....

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