Aston Villa have dismissed speculation that Darren Bent has fallen out with boss Paul Lambert and is set to leave.

Despite appearing for Villa 25 times last season and ending it as the club’s leading scorer with 10 goals, he has been left on the bench for the Tottenham and West Brom Premier League matches, and was replaced as captain by new arrival Ron Vlaar.

Bent complained after not starting the West Brom game, saying that he wanted Lambert to explain why he had not been put in the starting line-up.

However, a spokesman for the club told the Daily Express that “there is not a problem” between Bent and Lambert.

The spokesman added: “The manager has explained why he has not selected Darren for the last two games and has said his door is open if the player wants to discuss the matter.”

However, it has been reported that Bent and Lambert have not discussed the issue. The apparent unrest over Darren Bent’s position at the club has apparently led to Liverpool and QPR being interested in signing him. It is thought that the owner of QPR, Tony Fernandes, admires Bent, while Liverpool are considering buying a striker with Fabio Borini being out with a broken metatarsal.

Lambert gave his reasons for leaving out Bent and making Benteke the Villans' lone striker for the match earlier this month saying: “Darren is better with someone up beside him.”

The former Norwich manager also sought to quell any rumours of animosity between him and Bent adding: “Darren has been great. We have not had a cross word.”

However, Bent was obviously unhappy at the snub saying that it was “frustrating and disappointing.”

Aston Villa broke their club record to buy Darren Bent from Sunderland in 2011.