STOKE TARGET ... Darren Bent TONY PULIS is ready to make a deadline-day swoop for both Darren Bent and Jack Butland. The Stoke boss wants to end striker Bent’s Aston Villa nightmare. And he has also joined the race for Birmingham’s England keeper Butland. That raises a question mark over the future of Asmir Begovic, who has been lined up for a possible summer move to Manchester U...Full Story »

Engaged ... Darren Bent with Kirsty Maclaren SOCCER lothario Darren Bent has got engaged — to a rival’s ex-fiancée.The Aston Villa striker popped the question to Kirsty Maclaren, former girlfriend of Liam Ridgewell — who plays for Midlands foes West Brom. Kirsty, 24, was eight days away from marrying defender Ridgewell, 28, when they called off their £170,000 bi...Full Story »

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has denied claims that he and star striker Darren Bent are not on speaking terms. The Villa boss preferred to start new signing Christian Benteke against West Brom and Tottenham ahead of the club’s record signing, even though Bent has already notched three goals in six starts so far this season. But Lambert insists talk of a fractious relationship is wide ...Full Story »

Record signing Darren Bent came off the substitutes' bench to rescue a point for Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw against West Brom at Villa Park. Bent was axed by Villa boss Paul Lambert with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke preferred upfront. But he had only been on the pitch 11 minutes when he fired the equaliser in front of England head coach Roy Hodgson to cancel out Shane Long's opener....Full Story »

Questioned by police ... Darren Bent ENGLAND striker Darren Bent’s cop cousin has been charged with theft. PC Richard Bent, 28, was arrested by officers probing thefts of cash and jewellery from victims of crime who had died. Aston Villa star Darren, also 28, was questioned after his cousin allegedly claimed valuables were gifts from him. Richard, of Wandsworth, London, will appear at ...Full Story »

Inquiry ... Darren and cousin Richard A POLICEMAN cousin of Premier League ace Darren Bent has been arrested on suspicion of stealing cash and jewellery from the DEAD. PC Richard Bent, 28, was held as detectives investigated a string of high-value thefts from crime victims who passed away. Cops are also probing the theft of goods from the officer’s central London police station. Shock...Full Story »

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent says he is ready for increased competition up front after reports have linked the club with moves for Jermain Defoe and Kenwyne Jones. Both Defoe and Jones have been linked with moves away from Tottenham and Stoke, and Villa boss Paul Lambert recently revealed his admiration for the pair. Bent has previously played alongside both strikers earlier in his career...Full Story »

Striker confident Lambert can turn club's fortunes around Darren Bent: Backing Paul Lambert and Aston Villa's youngsters to shine in 2012/13 Darren Bent believes Aston Villa are 'going places' under Paul Lambert, with the club's crop of promising youngsters set to lead the charge. Villa underachieved massively under Alex McLeish last season, with a forgettable campaign seeing them dragged in...Full Story »

Thursday's Word on the Tweet looks at players preparing for Euro 2012 and those not going, the Championship play-off final and Samir Nasri furiously denying mocking Arsenal. The fall-out from Roy Hodgson's England squad announcement continues with striker Darren Bent talking about how he is "gutted" to miss out and is "determined" to make World Cup 2014. “The Manager informed me ...Full Story »

Darren Bent: Aston Villa striker did not make England's squad for Euro 2012 Darren Bent has taken his omission from England's Euro 2012 squad on the chin and has vowed to force his way into Roy Hodgson's plans in the future. The Aston Villa striker was always facing a battle to book a seat on the plane for Poland and Ukraine after suffering an ankle injury against Wigan in late February. That...Full Story »