Aston Villa boss discusses striker selection ahead of Spurs clash

Friday, October 5, 2012
11:49 PM

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has rubbished claims that his relationship with ex-Spurs striker Darren Bent has broken down ahead of their trip to White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Villa striker Bent admitted he was unhappy not to start in Villa’s 1-1 draw with West Brom last week, in which he came off the bench to score the Villains’ equaliser.

But Lambert admits Gabriel Agbonlahor’s Capital One Cup brace against Manchester City and the emergence of new signing Christian Benteke have given him a selection headache for the Tottenham clash.

Discussing his relationship with Bent, Lambert said: “I don’t have a problem with Darren, I don’t need to raise it. I’m not giving him the silent treatment.”

He continued: “I think that, with Gabby scoring two at Man City, what it does is it gives you a problem.

“But come Sunday, I’ll do what I’ve done for years, try to pick a team that may win us the game. I don’t have any problems with anybody.

“Whether you are on the field of play or you are coming off the bench, you have 10 other guys right behind you and a crowd willing you on.

“To be fair to Darren, he came on and it was an absolutely brilliant finish. He is a natural goalscorer.

“I don’t have any problem. Some of the best players in the world have been left out. I need everybody as it is a really long, tough season.”