Villa need to bid big to land Bent

ASTON VILLA will have to come up with in excess of £20 million (€24m) to persuade Sunderland to part company with striker Darren Bent.

The 26-year-old England international stunned Wearside yesterday when it emerged that he had submitted a written transfer request after Sunday’s 1-1 derby draw with Newcastle.

Sunderland confirmed the move in a brief statement which said: “The club can confirm that it received a written transfer request from Darren Bent following yesterday’s Wear-Tyne derby match.”