Aston Villa forward Darren Bent feels sorry for former club Sunderland: ‘I never want to see them struggle’

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

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Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has revealed his disappointment at former club Sunderland‘s slump in form.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Birmingham was the Black Cats eighth defeat in nine matches.

The Wearsiders’ poor run of form has seen them drop from seventh to 15th, just five points above Blackpool in the drop zone.

Steve Bruce’s side’s recent results have coincided with the departure of striker Bent, who joined Villa for an initial £18 million in January.

Replacement Stephane Sessegnon is yet to score for the club while Asamoah Gyan has just two goals in his last 10 games.

The Stadium of Light outfit have just one win since England international Bent left for the Midlands and the former Charlton and Tottenham striker admits he feels sorry for his old club.

The 27-year-old told The Mail: “Of course. I had good times there. I never want to see them struggle and do badly so hopefully they’ll turn it around.

“It’s disappointing to see them doing badly but, at the same time, as much as I’d like them to do well, I’d like Aston Villa to do even better.

“All I can do is keep concentrating on Aston Villa.”

The predator is pleased with his switch to the Villans, with his move securing him a regular place in the England team.

“It has gone really well,” he added.

“I’m playing more regularly for England now and scoring goals for Aston Villa.

“I’ve used it the price tag as a burden before when I moved to Spurs for big money and it weighed me down. But, to be fair, this time around I thought I would just get on with it.

“Obviously people can keep saying what they want to say but as long as I keep sticking the ball in the net and Aston Villa keep playing well and winning games, that’s all I care about.”