Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: Dan Jones 
Date:Tuesday July 14 2009
Time: 8:40AM
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Time For O'Neill To Get Bent?
As an Aston Villa fan there are three things that you can be sure of each summer:-
1. An agonising wait for signings to arrive
2. Plenty of debate about the ability of the manager
3. Links to Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane and Darren Bent in the papers
And this summer has been no different; there hasn't been any signings as yet despite our best two players, Laursen and Barry leaving the club through injury and arguably greed respectively. As well as that there has been debate between Villa fans as to whether or not O'Neill is this or that. And finally, we have (like every other transfer window) been linked to Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane. As yet I am not sure the club has been linked to Darren Bent. I did see a snippet in a paper this morning but I don`t believe there has been an article as yet, however, he like many Spurs players has been mentioned as part of fantasy swap deals between Villa and Spurs for John Carew and Ashley Young.
This link pops up every window as I say, but at the moment we have 4 senior strikers - Carew, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Emile Heskey and Marlon Harewood, I don't think it would be wrong to assume that Harewood will probably have left by the time the season starts and many believe Delfouneso may well be sent out on loan. So with this in mind we would probably enter the season with just three forwards although James Milner and Ashley Young could provide cover. I think Aston Villa need to be thinking about bringing in a fourth striker as both Heskey and Carew are known to be a tad injury prone, while Agbonlahor's form is unpredictable from one game to the next.
Darren Bent is the answer. Bent, 25 has four caps for England and a career record of 97 league goals in 248 games. Just to put that into some sort of perspective, Dwight Yorke scored 73 league goals in 232 games for us. Bent had been having a good start to the season for Spurs last year before Harry Redknapp arrived and brought Keane and Defoe back to the club. Bent would provide competition for Agbonlahor, something I feel is needed if Gabby is going to progress into the player we all hope he can. The competition for places would be a kick up the backside, much like the arrivals of Milner and Sidwell were for Petrov last season, the midfield was bolstered and Petrov's place was under threat and suddenly after two turbulent years, Petrov suddenly became the player O'Neill obviously thought he was capable of being.
Bent would fit O'Neill's criteria too, he is young and English, plus with the world cup fast approaching Bent would be keen to play more regularly and show Fabio Capello what he is capable of. Sure Bent would probably cost a lot of money but he is a goalscorer pure and simple, this is what Aston Villa need if they want to compete in Europe and domestically. Roque Santa Cruz and Michael Owen have both moved to Manchester and I think Bent is the best available option now.
Mr. O'Neill I think its time for you to get Bent!!
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Your Comments
Lots of links to wingers at the moment, would love a striker and I think we would struggle to find one better than Bent at the moment who is available
young_jonah
Lots of links to wingers at the moment, would love a striker and I think we would struggle to find one better than Bent at the moment who is available
young_jonah
Bent has been on my hit list since last summer. If we can get him, Downing, Tuncay and um, Hangeland, I'll be almost satisfied.
Saurat
Bent has been on my hit list since last summer. If we can get him, Downing, Tuncay and um, Hangeland, I'll be almost satisfied.
Saurat
Where is this agonising wait?I have to say i haven`t experienced it myself,then again i just think o`neill gets paid more than enough to do all that ***** for me.We are not in for bent,A Playmaker is the only signing i am interested in at the moment.
lerneravfc
Where is this agonising wait?I have to say i haven`t experienced it myself,then again i just think o`neill gets paid more than enough to do all that ***** for me.We are not in for bent,A Playmaker is the only signing i am interested in at the moment.
lerneravfc
Agree Saurat. young-jonah I cant think of many better than Bent - however, it depends on our budget as for half that fee we could have Martins!
deano.avfc
Agree Saurat. young-jonah I cant think of many better than Bent - however, it depends on our budget as for half that fee we could have Martins!
deano.avfc
The guy scores goals, period. He may be a little lazy at times, but at the end of the day he can hit the net!
Ericols_Son
The guy scores goals, period. He may be a little lazy at times, but at the end of the day he can hit the net!
Ericols_Son
He could do a great job for us. The problem will come from 'arry not wanting to do a deal with us unless it involves Carew or Ash - why either of these players would move down/sideways to join spuds I don't know...so we might have to look elsewhere sadly.
olofthegreat
He could do a great job for us. The problem will come from 'arry not wanting to do a deal with us unless it involves Carew or Ash - why either of these players would move down/sideways to join spuds I don't know...so we might have to look elsewhere sadly.
olofthegreat
I'd be happy with BENT.
applesmoke
I'd be happy with BENT.
applesmoke
may be to much money for bent though
clarkamus
may be to much money for bent though
clarkamus
Heskey arriving seemed to light a fire up Carews backside as well... I have been saying for ages we should be in for Darren Bent. The truth is we don't need need the amount of players some people seem to think we do - I've saw some people mention double figures FFS - but what we do need is a few QUALITY additions. I'm not saying we can compete with the top 4 or financially with Citeh, but what we can and should do is buy players to improve the first team (Carew, Young, Milner) and not players just to beef up the squad (Harewood, Knight). For me, players such as Darren Bent and Tuncay will help us improve. Not that I'll moan if there is the odd squad-filler, but I would rather see 4 quality additions than 8 average additions.
Sheriff Kimbo
If it was to be bent or Tuncay, i'd go with Tuncay every time personally, although I wouldn't be unhappy with either. I think Tuncay is a much more versatile player, has a much better work ethic and is technically a better player too. the only thing Bent's go going for him over Tuncay is that he's more of a natural finisher, a poacher if you like. Either of them would be a great addition to the front line though.
My biggest worry is that for all of the links to strikers and wingers recently, with the occasional midfielder thrown in too, there's not been many centre back linked to us, apart from Hangeland who looks like he's staying. What would really transform our form from the tail end of last season is somebody who can dominate in the air at the back, a real tough guy, an old fashioned centre half. Until then I don't think anybody would regard the transfer window as a success.
lorenzo
If it was to be bent or Tuncay, i'd go with Tuncay every time personally, although I wouldn't be unhappy with either. I think Tuncay is a much more versatile player, has a much better work ethic and is technically a better player too. the only thing Bent's go going for him over Tuncay is that he's more of a natural finisher, a poacher if you like. Either of them would be a great addition to the front line though.
My biggest worry is that for all of the links to strikers and wingers recently, with the occasional midfielder thrown in too, there's not been many centre back linked to us, apart from Hangeland who looks like he's staying. What would really transform our form from the tail end of last season is somebody who can dominate in the air at the back, a real tough guy, an old fashioned centre half. Until then I don't think anybody would regard the transfer window as a success.
lorenzo
Heskey arriving seemed to light a fire up Carews backside as well... I have been saying for ages we should be in for Darren Bent. The truth is we don't need need the amount of players some people seem to think we do - I've saw some people mention double figures FFS - but what we do need is a few QUALITY additions. I'm not saying we can compete with the top 4 or financially with Citeh, but what we can and should do is buy players to improve the first team (Carew, Young, Milner) and not players just to beef up the squad (Harewood, Knight). For me, players such as Darren Bent and Tuncay will help us improve. Not that I'll moan if there is the odd squad-filler, but I would rather see 4 quality additions than 8 average additions.
Sheriff Kimbo
Agreed Lorenzo, I really want us to sign some beast at the back! No idea who though, I don't envy MON in that respect, I tells ya!
Sheriff Kimbo
Agreed Lorenzo, I really want us to sign some beast at the back! No idea who though, I don't envy MON in that respect, I tells ya!
Sheriff Kimbo
They want too much for him. Too pricey
overlooked_villan
They want too much for him. Too pricey
overlooked_villan
For £12m surely Fulham would sell Hangelaand and Liege sell Defoue - thats where the money should go!! £24m double deal for Defour and Hangelaand should be in the press - not Bent and Downing. However, they are still good signings BUT not priority. If we have a budget of £100m for this window then fine - but I reckon its £40m tops and more than half on possibly back-up for Young and Gabby is not good enough!
deano.avfc
For £12m surely Fulham would sell Hangelaand and Liege sell Defoue - thats where the money should go!! £24m double deal for Defour and Hangelaand should be in the press - not Bent and Downing. However, they are still good signings BUT not priority. If we have a budget of £100m for this window then fine - but I reckon its £40m tops and more than half on possibly back-up for Young and Gabby is not good enough!
deano.avfc
back in for delph me reckons
clarkamus
back in for delph me reckons
clarkamus
Great headline! haha!
Matt_Us
Great headline! haha!
Matt_Us
Great little article, like the stats too in comparsion to yorkie. wouldnt be a bad buy considering no players in yet and two already out.
Upthevilla_83
Great little article, like the stats too in comparsion to yorkie. wouldnt be a bad buy considering no players in yet and two already out.
Upthevilla_83
yup, would like to see us get Bent, he is young, English and exactly the sort you woud think MON will be targetting . Stumbling block I think for any spurs player is Appy Arry wants some of ours in exchange, only the press talk to back up that theory but there you go!
The Fear
yup, would like to see us get Bent, he is young, English and exactly the sort you woud think MON will be targetting . Stumbling block I think for any spurs player is Appy Arry wants some of ours in exchange, only the press talk to back up that theory but there you go!
The Fear
bent would be a decent signing but then again you can get a player like Falcao for a third of the price! also i would be truly devastated if we signed Downing. i would never forgive MON for that and i might even cry.
ric112
bent would be a decent signing but then again you can get a player like Falcao for a third of the price! also i would be truly devastated if we signed Downing. i would never forgive MON for that and i might even cry.
ric112
Bent would be ideal for Villa. I reckon he is one of those players that won't quite make the step up to the international stage but will be more of a fringe player but so was Ian Wright and look what he did for Arsenal. As a team we need a goal scorers desperately and some one that can change the pattern of how we play
2fishinatank
Bent would be ideal for Villa. I reckon he is one of those players that won't quite make the step up to the international stage but will be more of a fringe player but so was Ian Wright and look what he did for Arsenal. As a team we need a goal scorers desperately and some one that can change the pattern of how we play
2fishinatank
Tell 'Arry we'll pay him in 50 pence pieces. We know how he loves them coins!
Mikey D-Man
Tell 'Arry we'll pay him in 50 pence pieces. We know how he loves them coins!
Mikey D-Man
i still think tuncay is a more likely target but would be happy with either
clarkamus
i still think tuncay is a more likely target but would be happy with either
clarkamus
I, as the majority have, have voted for NONE OF THESE. This is a very biased article about Bent. His stats look good until you notice that more than half his goals were in the championship! Even Kevin Philips scores goals for fun down there. Bent had one good season in the Prem. and that is it. That is why he isnt in an England shirt! He was vastly over priced when Spurs bought him, and doesnt get any takers from elsewhere because of his greedy over priced wage! I know this isnt popular, but I dont care, but I would have prefered either Owen or even Obafemi Martins to any of those! And I think Carew is much better, and that he is no better than Gabby.
villa_de
I, as the majority have, have voted for NONE OF THESE. This is a very biased article about Bent. His stats look good until you notice that more than half his goals were in the championship! Even Kevin Philips scores goals for fun down there. Bent had one good season in the Prem. and that is it. That is why he isnt in an England shirt! He was vastly over priced when Spurs bought him, and doesnt get any takers from elsewhere because of his greedy over priced wage! I know this isnt popular, but I dont care, but I would have prefered either Owen or even Obafemi Martins to any of those! And I think Carew is much better, and that he is no better than Gabby.
villa_de
Didn't Bent score 17 last season? 1 in 3 for Spuds. Those weren't Championship goals.
DoLpHiNaToR
Didn't Bent score 17 last season? 1 in 3 for Spuds. Those weren't Championship goals.
DoLpHiNaToR
Good record at a good age and shown by the Yorke stats!
Matt_Us
Good record at a good age and shown by the Yorke stats!
Matt_Us
The 40% who as I write this who have voted for none of the strikers, are probably the same ones who voted against signing Owen who has since joined the best team in England. Just because people have voted it doesn't make it good, Labour were voted in and have been having a shambles of a term. People seem to forget we have 4 strikers, 1 is likely to be sold, Heskey and Carew are injury prone and Gabby only turns up for 4 or 5 games a season, we NEED another striker and I would happily take any of the 4 on that vote, just like I would have taken Owen, ah well ay all those who didn't want him can be happy because he will probably be banging in the goals that knock us out of the FA Cup 3rd Round in January.
young_jonah
The 40% who as I write this who have voted for none of the strikers, are probably the same ones who voted against signing Owen who has since joined the best team in England. Just because people have voted it doesn't make it good, Labour were voted in and have been having a shambles of a term. People seem to forget we have 4 strikers, 1 is likely to be sold, Heskey and Carew are injury prone and Gabby only turns up for 4 or 5 games a season, we NEED another striker and I would happily take any of the 4 on that vote, just like I would have taken Owen, ah well ay all those who didn't want him can be happy because he will probably be banging in the goals that knock us out of the FA Cup 3rd Round in January.
young_jonah
Not a Darren Bent fan I'm afraid, so this individual is hoping that Martin O'Neill decides to look elsewhere for the additional finisher that we all know and fully agree that we need. Personally I'd prefer Tuncay from Middlesbrough, believing that he'd provide options that we are currently lacking, and that he is a better all round player than is Bent. I would have liked Kevin Doyle before his somewhat surprise move to The Molinuex, but obviously that door is now closed to us. There's very limited options out there unless MON decides to broaden his search and look abroad, and somehow I just dont think that that is going to happen.
glensider
Not a Darren Bent fan I'm afraid, so this individual is hoping that Martin O'Neill decides to look elsewhere for the additional finisher that we all know and fully agree that we need. Personally I'd prefer Tuncay from Middlesbrough, believing that he'd provide options that we are currently lacking, and that he is a better all round player than is Bent. I would have liked Kevin Doyle before his somewhat surprise move to The Molinuex, but obviously that door is now closed to us. There's very limited options out there unless MON decides to broaden his search and look abroad, and somehow I just dont think that that is going to happen.
glensider
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