Aston Villa have hit back at Sunderland, refuting suggestions of wrongdoing in the deal that lured star striker Darren Bent to the Midlands.
The England international made the stunning 18-million-pound move to Villa on Tuesday, and both Sunderland manager Steve Bruce and chairman Niall Quinn have been critical of Bent’s shock decision.
Bruce said he felt ‘let down’ by Bent, while Quinn called into question the way in which Villa went about luring the 26-year-old to Villa Park.
“Two or three weeks ago maybe, I went into the training ground and there was something up with him,” Quinn told Kildare TV.
“I looked at his demeanour and I thought, ‘It’s not right’. Having been in the game, you kind of know when someone’s got something going on in their heads.”
“It transpired that that’s what had happened. They were setting him up to try and come and he took the bait.”
“It’s hugely disappointing for us, but all we could do then was battle hard and, when the transfer request came in, that was probably the final nail.”
Clubs are not allowed to approach players prior to receiving official permission to do so, and Quinn’s suggestion of malpractice by Villa have been rubbished by the Birmingham club.
“We understand Sunderland Football Club’s need to explain to their naturally-disappointed supporters why Darren Bent has been allowed to leave their club,” a Villa statement read.
“It is disappointing, however, that Sunderland should try to besmirch the reputation of the player and Aston Villa Football Club in the process.”
“We wish to make clear that at no time did Aston Villa make an inappropriate approach to the player or unfairly compromise the business of Sunderland Football Club.”
“Darren only became aware of his possible transfer AFTER Sunderland’s game against Newcastle on Sunday and AFTER we had agreed with Sunderland the essence of the deal, which led quickly to Darren’s arrival at Villa Park on Tuesday.”
“It is only because of some comments emanating from the Stadium of Light that we have felt compelled to respond and set the record straight.”
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