By Graham Hill
FORMER Villa striker Darren Bent says he is surprised Dean Smith has not tried to bring Christian Benteke back to the club.
Benteke was signed for a cut price £7million by ex-Villa boss Paul Lambert in 2012.
But three years later the Belgium forward decided he wanted to make a career move and he was snapped up by then Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers for £32.5million.
The move to Anfield did not work out though and he was gone a year later with Crystal Palace signing him in a £27million deal.
But his record of 42 goals in 89 Premier League appearances for Villa was impressive.
And ex-record Villa signing Bent says there is plenty of mileage left in the 28-year old.
Bent told Talksport: “I was pretty surprised to be fair that Villa didn’t maybe look at Benteke to maybe bring him back, because I thought obviously he hasn’t played as much football as he would liked to at Crystal Palace, and I know the fans absolutely loved him.”
But Smith appears to have his focus on younger players with Wesley Moraes already on board and the likes of Neal Maupay also on the radar this summer.
Villa Roar 