Bent pledges loyalty to Villa

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has denied he will leave in January, claiming he is fully committed to the club.

The former Sunderland striker missed Villa’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool with a thigh strain, but was seen out and about near his Cambridge home while the game was on TV.

That incident has prompted people to question his commitment to Villa, but the England international has reassured fans that he has no intention of going anywhere during the next transfer window.

“I can assure the Villa fans that I’m committed to the football club and I love playing for Villa,” he told the Daily Mirror.

“I am passionate about Villa and playing here and I want to score goals for the team to do my best for the Villa fans.”

“People sometimes forget where Villa were in the Premier League table when I came here – Sunderland were higher at the time.”

“But I wanted to come here and achieve things and that has not changed.”

“I’m fully committed to the club and there is no other agenda here and I haven’t fallen out with the manager.”

“With January coming up, there is always going to be rumours.”

“I moved last January and with this whole thing over the weekend these things quickly grow out of proportion.”

“But I just want to reiterate, I’m fully committed to the football club.”