Aston Villa striker Darren Bent hoping to cement place in England team with performance against Switzerland

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

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Darren Bent has revealed that the qualifier against Switzerland is a massive game for him to prove himself as an England regular.

The Aston Villa striker has been one of the most prolific in the Premier League this season after scoring 17 goals, and hopes to translate his domestic form onto the international stage.

“For me personally the game against Switzerland on Saturday is a massive game,” Bent told reporters.

“I don’t feel too much pressure to be honest. I played in the last couple of games and it’s going really well for me so I don’t feel too much pressure. I’m just going to go out there, if I get the nod, play as well as I can and hopefully England win.

“I want to play for England in as many games as I can and try and establish myself as England No.9.

“That is all I am thinking about, regardless of what is going on elsewhere.”

Bent switched to Aston Villa from Sunderland for £18 million in January, with some questioning whether it was a wise move to join a club that was heading towards a relegation battle.

However, Bent feels his selection for England vindicates his decision to leave the Stadium of Light, and revealed that he has spoken to Villa team-mates Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to persuade them to stay at the club.

“It has been a very good season,” Bent continued.

“People probably question me about going to Aston Villa but for me I always knew it was the right place to go, it’s worked out really well and I have loved every minute of it.

“To be fair I don’t think I am doing anything different in my game. Capello said it was the best move for me but I am still just trying to score as many goals as I can nothing in my game has changed. If I get the nod this weekend then hopefully I can grab a goal.

“When we come away with England we are focusing on the game on Saturday but before that yes I was trying to convince them Young and Downing to stay – they are two top-class players and if they stay next season it will be fantastic.”

Rumours of manager Gerard Houllier’s departure from Villa have been rife, but Bent was keen to ignore the speculation.

“I have tried to forget about it and just focus on the England match once it is done and dusted then the focus will return to Villa,” he said.