Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert (L) and his assistant Roy Keane sits in the dugout before their English Premier League soccer match against Newcastle United at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England August 23, 2014.
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert (L) and his assistant Roy Keane sits in the dugout before their English Premier League soccer match against Newcastle United at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England August 23, 2014. REUTERS/Darren Staples

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will risk losing striker Darren Bent on a free-transfer at the end of the season, after ruling out a move this summer.

The Englishman, who is struggling for form, returned to Villa Park after spending the 2013/14 season with Fulham, wherein disappointingly he only found the back of the net thrice in 24 appearances.

But with fellow forwards Christian Benteke and Libor Kozak on the sidelines due to respective injuries, the London native will likely serve his remaining year with the Villans.

"I do expect him to be here at the end of the transfer window," Lambert spoke of Bent.

"You would keep Darren. As I said before, you do what's right for Aston Villa."

"No one will go until I say so. You keep all your players and I don't see us letting anyone go right now."

"Nobody will leave without me saying. I don't think any player like that will move. Darren's here and nobody will be going."

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