Richard Dunne overlooked for Villa captaincy

New Villa boss Paul Lambert has confirmed that Darren Bent will be his side’s first team captain the absence of Stiliyan Petrov next season, overlooking Richard Dunne.

Petrov who last season was diagnosed with acute leukaemia will continue as club captain, but Bent will take over the day-to-day first team duties.

The former Norwich manager has backed 28-year-old Bent who has previously been Charlton’s skipper but at times, blown hot and cold on the pitch for Villa despite being their record-signing.

Dunne a former Man City captain and inspirational presence on the pitch was overlooked.

Dunne had said during the week the thought of retirement from international football had “crossed his mind” recently and that he was chatting to Lambert about his future before he calls time on his Ireland career.

It remains to be seen if his lack of consideration for the role as captain will have any bearing on what he will do next.

Bent has in the meantime told Sky Sports News: "It's a great honour to captain a side like Aston Villa, especially after someone like Stilian Petrov, who has been captaining Villa for a lot of years.

If I can hang on to it, I'll be delighted, and that's a big goal of mine. The gaffer just said to me 'I've given you the armband for now, and I just want you to justify why I've given it to you'.

I want to just try and lead by example and try and be a good role model. I was captain of Charlton for a year and I enjoyed that and if I get to keep it this year I'll be delighted."