Villa Refute Bruce’s Bent Comments

As covered yesterday, Steve Bruce took the moral high ground and accused Darren Bent of not putting in the appropriate effort over the last few weeks because clearly his mind was elsewhere and Villa have taken objection to this – as you would expect.

Bruce said that Sunderland had:

‘certainly not seen the best of him in games in recent weeks – and we now understand why.’

Niall Quinn was equally as disappointed but initially didn’t go to those extremes although today Sky sports have quotes from him talking to Kildare TV (Doctor Kildare, that used to be on TV didn’t it?) wherein he said:

‘I had an inkling. Two or three weeks ago maybe, I went into the training ground and there was something up with him. Having been in the game, you kind of know when someone’s got something going on in their heads. It transpired that that’s what had happened. They were setting him up to try and come and he took the bait.’

Shame really, we saw what we expect from Bruce during his spell a few miles away, I did however hold Niall Quinn in a much higher regard than that – couldn’t possibly have been preoccupied because of life at Sunderland could he?

Probably safer if I keep my opinions to myself here isn’t it.

A statement on Villa’s Official Site read:

‘We understand Sunderland’s need to explain to their naturally disappointed supporters why Darren Bent has been allowed to leave their club.

‘It is disappointing, however, that Sunderland should try to besmirch the reputation of the player and Aston Villa in the process.

‘We wish to make clear that at no time did Aston Villa make an inappropriate approach to the player or unfairly compromise the business of Sunderland.

‘Darren only became aware of his possible transfer AFTER Sunderland’s game against Newcastle on Sunday and AFTER we had agreed with Sunderland the essence of the deal.

‘It is only because of some comments emanating from the Stadium of Light that we have felt compelled to respond and set the record straight.’

Such an eloquent way of saying ….. isn’t it.