Bent set to see out the season at Derby County

It wasn't too long ago when Darren Bent joined Villa for around £18 million pounds. Aston Villa where on the brink of relegation and looked set to go down, almost a certainty actually, until Bent's goals propelled us back into the middle of the table.

Unfortunately, Darren hasn't been played in the old school poacher role he is used to. Teams at this level can't afford to waste leaving a player up front for the entire game. Bent relied on the chances others created rather than perhaps making some of them on his own and Villa can't rely on that, they need people like Benteke to scrap for chances.

After a loan spell where Bent scored two goals in four games for Brighton and Hove Albion, it's no surprise that he is wanted back in the Championship. Steve McClaren's Derby County look set to loan Bent for the remainder of the season, which will lead to the hitman's contract expiring at Villa, who need the money to rebuild their young team.

Many people may see Bent's spell in Birmingham as a failure. Some might say he didn't leave up to the >£18 million that we signed him for, but wouldn't you pay £18 million to secure Premier League survival?

Thanks for all your goals Darren. If you should see out your Villa career at Derby County, I don't think I'd be alone in wishing you the best.