Darren Bent: 'I want to stay'

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has insisted that he wants to remain at the club despite speculation surrounding his future.

The 28-year-old has scored 10 goals in the Premier League this season despite suffering a number of injuries, and has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool.

However, the England international has moved to distance himself from such speculation ahead of next season.

"People have asked if I was missold the dream when I signed and if I'm honest I didn't think Ashley Young and Stewart Downing would leave in the same summer. But I signed for Aston Villa because I wanted to be here and I still do," Bent told Sky Sports News.

"I was linked with a transfer out of here all through January and I didn't want that then and I don't want that now. It's not been a great season but this is a massive club and we've got to make sure it is a blip that doesn't happen again. It is still a time of transition and we need to do our best to get behind the new manager."

Bent has an outside chance of making England's Euro 2012 squad.