Darren Bent has revealed an Aston Villa return this summer could be on the cards and discussions have taken place . The former England striker , on loan at Derby County , also said Villa were ‘ 100 per cent ’ correct to sack Paul Lambert . Bent , 31 , praised Tim Sherwood , who he knows from Tottenham Hotspur , and opened the door on a shock continuation of his Villa Park career even after his contract expires in June . Darren Bent has scored seven goals on loan in the Championship with promotion-chasing Derby . Paul Lambert was sacked by Aston Villa in February after two-and-a-half seasons at the club . ‘ There have been conversations with Villa regarding the future and I need to have a think about things in the summer , ’ Bent told the Daily Telegraph . ‘ I ’ m not ruling out going back , just like I wouldn ’ t rule out staying at Derby because they have given me a lifeline to play football and score goals again . We will have to look at it . ‘ A club that size should not have had the seasons we ’ ve had for the last couple of seasons . I enjoyed the first few years but Paul Lambert came in and it all changed , it all went downhill for me from there . ‘ He made those decisions but ultimately he ’ s not there any more and I think it was 100 per cent right , the best thing for the football club . Bent endured a frustrating time at Villa Park while Lambert was in charge as he was left on the sidelines . Tim Sherwood has inspired at mini-revival at Villa Park since taking over earlier this year . ‘ I know Tim Sherwood from Tottenham , he ’ s an unbelievable motivator and it ’ s the perfect job for him. ’ Bent , who has scored seven goals since going on loan to Derby , also praised Steve McClaren as one of the best managers he has played under . ‘ He ’ s being linked with Sunderland and Newcastle and that shows you how good he is , ’ Bent added . ‘ Whether we get promoted or not , we ’ ll definitely be trying to hold on to him this summer . He ’ s up there with the best of them . ’
Darren Bent currently on loan at Derby County from Aston Villa . Former England striker was frozen out at Villa under Paul Lambert . Bent now says he could be back the summer having had 'discussions ' Bent worked with manager Tim Sherwood at Tottenham .