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.

He said: “Bent has had a really terrific season and has the goals to prove his point.

“It was a chance he was looking for at Tottenham. He has gone to Sunderland and proved himself, while Jones, on his day, is a real handful.”

A Villa win would turn up the heat on Tottenham in fourth and O’Neill added: “We would be only two points behind Tottenham if we beat Sunderland and we are desperate to try and win the game against a rejuvenated Sunderland.”

Villa could be without 14-goal leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor (foot injury) while central defender Richard Dunne is a major doubt with a sore Achilles.

Sunderland head into tonight’s game having established a 10-point gap over the bottom three and with captain Lorik Cana available after suspension. Kenwyne Jones and John Mensah could shake off hip flexor and knee injuries respectively.