Villa ready to keep hot Bent in check

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill has put his players on alert to stop Sunderland’s in-form striker Darren Bent in tonight’s Premier League encounter at Villa Park.

Following their 2-2 draw against Wolves at the weekend, Villa badly need a win to boost their hopes of finishing fourth and qualifying for next season’s Champions League. But O’Neill knows Villa’s hopes of beating Sunderland could depend on them keeping Bent and strike partner Kenwyne Jones in check.

Bent took his goal tally for the season to 21 with a double against Birmingham on Saturday and O’Neill has been impressed by the form that the England international has shown at the Stadium of Light following his £10 million move from Tottenham.