Aston Villa have confirmed the departure of club record signing Darren Bent after his contract expired, but the experienced centre-back Ron Vlaar has been offered a new contract. Bent, who moved to Villa Park in January 2011 for £24m, has spent the last two seasons out on loan in the Championship. The 31-year-old, who has had loan spells at Fulham, Brighton and Derby in the last two ...Full Story »

Aston Villa have offered a new contract to skipper Ron Vlaar, but have released veteran striker Darren Bent. Vlaar's contract is up at the end of this month, and he could leave on a free transfer. He has been linked with a host of clubs at home and abroad, including Manchester United. But Villa boss Tim Sherwood is hoping to keep the Dutch centre-back at the club.   Bent, 31, joined Vi...Full Story »

Ron Vlaar is a major doubt for Aston Villa's derby against West Brom with a calf problem. The defender was suspended for Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle and could sit out again with an injury as boss Tim Sherwood rates him touch and go. Kieran Richardson and Philippe Senderos are sidelined with Aly Cissokho and Alan Hutton remains a doubt for Sherwood's strugglers. West Brom boss Tony Pu...Full Story »

Captain Ron Vlaar could return for Aston Villa against Chelsea in Saturday's Barclays Premier League match after resuming training this week. The defender has been sidelined with a knee injury since limping out against Crystal Palace on New Year's Day. Philippe Senderos is likely to sit out again with his calf problem and Libor Kozak continues to recover from a broken leg but Joe Cole may make...Full Story »

· Yet to be any contact with Villa regarding the Holland defender · Dutchman understood to be reluctant to agree fresh Villa terms · Manchester United target Everton's Coleman for right-back role Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar could leave for nothing in the close season. Ron Vlaar is under consideration by Louis van Gaal as the Manchester United manager seeks to strengthen his ...Full Story »

Manchester United are likely to bring in defensive reinforcements in the winter transfer window, according to a host of sources. Mats Hummels has been the name touted about the most over the past few months but it is questionable whether the German World Cup winner would leave Borussia Dortmund, especially in January. Today, the well connected Miguel Delaney reports for ESPN FC that one of M...Full Story »

ASTON VILLA will have to double Ron Vlaar's wages to have any chance of keeping him away from Manchester United. PAY UP: Villa will to stump up the cash to keep the Dutchman United boss Louis van Gaal is heading the battle to sign the Dutch international defender, with a host of other top clubs also keen. World Cup star Vlaar, 29, is not among the high earners at Villa Park and his long-term ...Full Story »

WARY ... Villa skipper Ron Vlaar RON VLAAR says Aston Villa must beware Jekyll and Hyde Liverpool star Luis Suarez. Villa skipper Vlaar, who believes Suarez is one of the best he has faced, says he is losing his reputation as a diver — though the Uruguayan appeared to throw a punch at Chile’s Gonzalo Jara in midweek. But centre-half Vlaar, 28, who faced former Ajax star Suarez whe...Full Story »

Aston Villa skipper Ron Vlaar could play some part in the home Barclay's Premier League clash with Southampton after returning to training following a seven-week absence with a calf injury. Midfielders Ashley Westwood (ankle) and Brett Holman (virus) are also back in contention for match between two struggling sides. But striker Darren Bent (knee), defenders Chris Herd (foot) and Richard Dunne...Full Story »