Darren Bent: Aston Villa's plight is 'sad to see'

Bent, who played for Villa between 2011 and 2015 - scoring 25 times in 72 appearances, claims it's 'sad to see' the club in the position it's in after revelations over finances have plunged them into crisis.

"It is sad to see, and then all these things are starting to come out. They're having to get rid of players." Bent said, featuring on TalkSPORT.

"Being a former player I know what it's like. You can't just say to these guys 'that's it now, we can't afford to give you the money'.

"Aston Villa's a massive football club, they won't want to leave Aston Villa.

"As much as they might be in financial trouble, I know what players are like they're not going to want to leave so it is a testing time for them."

It is understood owner Tony Xia, who has bankrolled Villa since purchasing them from Randy Lerner two years ago, has been unable to effectively finance the club for at least three months.

The Express & Star understands a group of wealthy Villa supporters is preparing to step in and aid the club as it faces up to the biggest crisis in its history.

At least two other consortia, including one from the USA, are thought to be interested in Villa.

But Bent believes that Villa can continue to compete, given that any potential new owners don't cause any more upheaval involving Steve Bruce, should Xia look to sell.

"I guess he [Bruce] needs some assurances in what direction the club's going because I think it would be the wrong move if new guys came in and the first thing they did was get rid of Steve." he said.

"He's got that pedigree of getting teams out of the Championship and I'm sure if given the chance again next season and not too much changed he'd be close to doing it again and probably would do it again.

"But for them [potential new owners] to come straight in and try get rid of him, I think for Aston Villa football club it would be the wrong move.

"Living in Birmingham, a lot of the fans like him, they want him to stay because they understand how close they were.

"They have got some good players, but I think I'm probably in a group with most people where I didn't expect Villa to still be there after two years.

"I think as they came down, the first season is difficult, but the last season I thought they were definitely going back up. There were times when they were playing really well and I couldn't see anyone else pipping them really.

"Steve Bruce is a fantastic manager, [he] knows how to get teams out of the Championship, but for them to get beat by Fulham who were the better side on the day, you can't argue with that."