Source: Daily_Mail
In-form striker Darren Bent is a snip at £24m, claim Aston Villa
Aston Villa believe Darren Bent is the best value-for-money buy in the January transfer window. [LNB]With two goals in his opening three games, Bent, - 27 tomorrow - has started to pay back some of his ?24million price tag. [LNB]And with deadline-day moves for Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll for?50m and ?35m respectively, Villa assistant boss Gary McAllister saysthe club's record signing from Sunderland represents sound business. [LNB] Value for money: Gary McAllister (left) happy with bargain buy Bent (right)[LNB]'When you look at what happened at the back end of the window, you have to say Darren's purchase represents great value. [LNB]'Carroll is just starting at this level. He is a fantastic prospect but it's a lot of money to pay for potential. [LNB]'And the timing of Fernando Torres going to Chelsea dictated how much Liverpool had to pay for Carroll. [LNB]'We have got Darren, a proven player at this level. Someone who has scored numerous goals. [LNB]'It was a good thing we were able to do our business nice and early because some of those figures - ?35m and ?50m - you would have been thought crazy even talking about that kind of amount five or six seasons ago.' [LNB]Villa can pull further away from the drop zone with a win against Fulham at home today, but boss Gerard Houllier questioned the desire of out-of-favour full backs Stephen Warnock and Habib Beye, who have been relegated to training with the reserves. [LNB]Asked if they were still part of his plans, Houllier said: 'It's not only a matter of being good enough, it's also a matter of being committed enough.'[LNB] Martin Samuel: Darren Bent at ?24m is mad, but more fun than common senseASTON VILLA v Fulham: Loan signing Michael Bradley in line for debutAll the latest Aston Villa FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Darren Bent, Fernando Torres, Gerard Houllier, Gary McAllister, Andy Carroll Places: Liverpool
