Darren Bent hopes impressive England form of Aston Villa team-mates will aid Premier League survival push

Darren Bent celebrates scoring for England against Wales (Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent believes the good form shown by he and his Villa team-mates while on international duty with England will help his team stay in the league.

Bent scored the second goal of Saturday’s 2-0 in over Wales, created by Ashley Young, while Stewart Downing made a substitute appearance in the second half. Meanwhile Kyle Walker, on loan from Tottenham, received his first call-up to the senior squad.

The game seemed to liberate the trio, giving them a chance to get away from their Premier League troubles in which Aston Villa are languishing above the relegation zone.

And Bent is hoping to use this good form when he returns to Premier League football.

He told Sky Sports: “It is difficult. Our club form obviously takes priority in a lot of ways because it is the way you earn your living.”

“But these international breaks are nice to go away and try and get some confidence and play well here and then take it back to Villa.

“There is myself, Stu Stewart Downing, Ashley Young and Kyle Walker. If us four can fire and play really well for England, hopefully we can take it back to Villa.”

Although Villa are perilously close to the drop zone Bent is confident that his team will stay in the Premier League.

“I think sometimes it happens like that. I am sure Villa won’t be the first club in a relegation battle,” he added.

“But we are more than confident of getting out of it. It is always at the back of your mind and you are thinking ‘the Villa form, the Villa form’ but when you are out there, international football is hard and you just need to stay focused.

“If we play well at Everton next weekend and get something out of it, I am sure we can kick forward and move on.”