Bent was signed from Sunderland in January 2011 after Villa made a club record bid of £18 million. He scored a debut goal in the 1-0 win against Manchester City and went on to become the top English goalscorer that season. The following season, Bent suffered a series of injuries and failed to produce the same goal scoring form from the previous season. The 12/13 season saw Bent fall down the pecking order behind Gabriel Agbonlahor and new signing Christian Benteke and managed only six goals.
Since then, he has spent time on loan at Fulham, Brighton Hove Albion and Derby County in the Championship where he showed signs of recapturing his form. Now 31 years old, Villa have decided to not renew his contract and has joined Derby County on a two year deal.
