Report: Aston Villa keen to sell Darren Bent

Aston Villa have reportedly told Darren Bent that he can leave this summer.

The striker, who joined for a club record £18m from Sunderland in 2011, made 23 appearances in all competitions for Villa last season.

Manager Paul Lambert is now keen to get rid of the 29-year-old as he looks to rebuild his squad for the new campaign, according to the Daily Mail.

Lambert refused to speculate on whether he would be selling Bent following Sunday's 2-2 draw at Wigan Athletic in the Premier League.