England striker doesn’t want another season on the bench.
Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has admitted that he may have to leave the club this summer to get his career back on track, The Express reports.
The 29-year-old joined Villa in 2011 for a club record of £24 million but has suffered through an unusual campaign with the club this season. He was given the captains armband at the start of the season but quickly found himself out of the side following the good form of Christian Benteke.
And he has admitted that he may have to move on this summer after being picked only 11 times since he lost the armband to Ron Vlaar.
Bent may get his final chance to impress in the season closer against Wigan this weekend after his Belgian counterpart picked up a red card against Chelsea last week.
“I thought I would have come on when Benteke was sent off against Chelsea, but it wasn’t meant to be. If I can get the nod then it would be nice to play a part again,” he said.
“It is frustrating. The season started off so differently to what it is now. I do get angry at times.”
“As much as I’ve enjoyed my time at Aston Villa, it is about playing games. At my age I can’t have another season like this one because time is running out.”
“I want to contribute and enjoy playing. I won’t ask to go but at the same time I have to sit down with the manager, the chairman and my agent and just go from there.”
“It hurts when I think I could have come on and made a difference. Every game you don’t play in hurts that bit more. I’m going to have to take a long, hard look at my situation. I don’t know if I will still be at Villa next season.”
“All I can say is if it’s going to be another season like this and it looks like I’m not going to play, then I have to play football. It’s as simple as that. I would prefer it to be here but at the same time it’s about playing. I know I’ve had a few injuries but I can’t pinpoint where it all started to deteriorate.”
“I’ve not gone to see the manager. It has been a difficult situation anyway, fighting relegation. The last thing I want to do is go in kicking and screaming.”
“We’re a team and it’s not about one individual. When it’s the right time to talk about things I’m sure I’ll do that.”
Bent has scored 20 Premier League goals in 53 games for Villa and has two years left on his big money deal.