Villa boss Houllier delighted by Bent’s sudden impact

BIRMINGHAM: Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier praised the immediate impact made by new signing Darren Bent after the £18mil striker’s winner dented Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge.

Club-record signing Bent, who joined in a shock move from Sun­der­land on Tuesday, took just 17 minutes to mark his Villa debut with the only goal of the game at Villa Park when he pounced on a rebound after Joe Hart had failed to hold an Ashley Young shot.

The victory moved struggling Villa three points clear of the relegation zone but it was a huge blow to City’s title hopes after they slipped three points behind leaders Manchester United having played two more games.

“His finishing touch was just like a natural-born goalscorer,” said Villa boss Houllier.

“It’s something that we can’t teach because he was full of composure, so that’s what he’s here for to score goals. I’m not someone who puts pressure on players. I felt he was ready to play – don’t forget he played in the last derby for Sunderland against Newcastle.

“Maybe the training was a bit disrupted because he couldn’t do what he wanted to do but he’s a fit lad and I felt he could play.”

Houllier hopes his team have now turned the corner after their first league victory in 2011.

He added: “I think the team probably hit rock bottom against Man­chester City (in the 4-0 defeat on Boxing Day). It really affected us. I think we were stunned.

“From that point I think we started getting together a bit more and working for each other a bit more. This game epitomised what we want to do.

“At the moment we are in a fight to avoid relegation so we are aware of that. This is a challenge on our hands and we have to keep going with that.

“Our defending was resolute and brave, and courageous. but to be honest we had a bit of luck at times but you get luck if you work hard. The harder we work, the more luck we will get.”

Bent, who has now scored on debut three times having achieved the same feat with previous clubs Charlton and Sunderland, was delighted to end a tough week with the winning goal.

“It’s been a hard week but these are the occasions we enjoy and I’m going to enjoy it tonight,” said Bent.