DARREN’S BRIGHT IDEA FOR GOALS

DARREN BENT says his month-long retreat to the seaside with Brighton could prove to be a safe haven after continually being ‘slapped in the face’ by unimpressed Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert.

Bent set Villa back a clubrecord £18million in 2011, but the former England international has made just eight appearances for the Premier League side this season – seven of which came from the bench.

The 30-year-old spent last term on loan at Fulham, but his continued exile under Lambert has forced Bent to move again.

And after signing on loan until the end of December, the former Charlton, Spurs and Sunderland striker claims the Seagulls can help him overcome the darkest period of his career.

“There’s only so many slaps in the face you can take before you have to go and look elsewhere,” said Bent, who scored on his debut yesterday against former club Fulham.

“It’s been the worst part of my career, in Paul’s first season it was difficult but this season has been even harder because pre-season I was in favour, and even though the team has struggled to score goals and win matches, I still wasn’t given an opportunity to play.

Direction

“It’s just about playing football now.To work hard all week and sit on the bench on a Saturdays is hard to take.

“I’ve reached my boiling point now and I’m glad to be here and hopefully I can play some games.”

Unsurprisingly, the clamour to sign a player who has cost a combined £47m over the course of his career has been continent-wide.

But Bent, who has netted a total of 184 goals in 464 career appearances, believes Brighton offered the best allround package.

“I could have gone abroad, I could have gone anywhere else, but I liked the sound of Brighton and the direction they are going in,” added Bent.

“I saw myself being comfortable here and that’s why I came. It didn’t bother me what division it is in, because at the end of the day I love playing football.”