Villa deny internal dispute

Aston Villa have denied reports of a rift between manager Paul Lambert and striker Darren Bent. The Daily Express is today reporting that the duo have no problems with one another, contrary to speculation emanating from local papers last week.

Bent was recently stripped of the Villa captaincy and has since lost his place in the starting XI to summer arrival Christian Benteke. Rumours were abound that the England international was furious with Lambert, who arrived at Villa Park from Norwich City in the summer as Alex McLeish’s replacement.

Lambert relegated Bent to bench during the recent 1-1 draw with local rivals West Bromwich Albion, with the front-man netting the equaliser in the dying embers of the encounter and has persisted with Belgian Benteke following the stalemate.