Aston Villa striker Darren Bent wants to hold talks with manager Paul Lambert

England striker Darren Bent says he expects to hold talks with Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert this week.

Wake-up call

Bent acknowledged being dropped could have been the wake-up call he needed. He said: "Maybe. Strikers are always judged on scoring goals and, getting the one against Southampton last week, I thought I could build on that. But it just wasn't meant to be. "Hopefully I'll score more goals now. I'm always a confident character and, if I get the chance, I'll score the goals." Hodgson was at Villa Park to witness Bent's equaliser. "I didn't know he was here but hopefully the goal will give me a boost and I'll be in his plans," Bent said. "I feel I'm going in the right direction as far as goals are concerned. "I just wanted to get on the pitch and show I can score goals if given the chances."