Aston Villa’s Darren Bent ‘sad’ at Gerard Houllier’s departure

The England striker is disappointed to see the man who brought him to the club have to leave due to suffering heart problems, but admits his health cannot be riskedDarren Bent has revealed his disappointment after Gerard Houllier left Aston Villa.

The Frenchman missed the club's last five games of the season due to increased fears over his health, and stood down as Villa boss on Wednesday evening.

Bent, who Houllier signed for £18 million from Sunderland in January, says it is disappointing that the former Liverpool boss has left, but accepts that his health has to come first.

The England international said: "It is sad for me to see Gerard go. He signed me, invested a lot of money in me.

"He showed a lot of faith in me.

"But your health comes first and, if he's not well enough to come back, then he needs to take a break."

Fulham boss Mark Hughes, whose contract at Craven Cottage runs out this summer, is the early favourite to replace Houllier.