Aston Villa condone Darren Bent Christmas shopping trip
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Your support makes all the difference.Aston Villa have no issue with injured striker Darren Bent undertaking some Christmas shopping during the latter stages of yesterday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.
Some Villa fans voiced their displeasure at a picture posted online of record signing Bent buying some Christmas presents.
But Press Association Sport understands Villa are completely relaxed about the situation.
Bent was ruled out of the game at Villa Park with a thigh injury. The England international reported to the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground yesterday morning and underwent two hours of treatment.
He was then told by the club's doctors to go home, where he watched the majority of the Barclays Premier League clash on television.
It was then that Bent decided to go shopping, which led to consternation from some supporters.
Jonathan Fear, editor of fans' website, Vital Villa, told Press Association Sport: "If Darren was told to go home by the club doctors then that explains things and why he wasn't at the game.
"But even if he does care for Villa, symbolically going out shopping during the latter part of the game makes it look to the fans that he doesn't give a stuff for Villa."
Bent has already issued an apology on Twitter which read: "Nothing is more important to me than playing football, sadly injury meant I wasn't able to do that today. Gutted not to be involved.
"I hope to be back very soon. Watched the majority of he game on tv. Never knew popping out would cause an issue and for that I apologise."
Bent is Villa's joint leading scorer with five goals this season and manager Alex McLeish is hoping he will be fit for Wednesday's home meeting with Arsenal.
PA
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