Aston Villa are preparing to sell Darren Bent in January as his disagreement with manager Paul Lambert intensifies, reports Mirror Football.

A whole host of Premier League sides will be alerted to the availability of the England striker who has been repeatedly left on the bench and stripped of the captaincy at Villa Park by Lambert.

Villa’s record signing has been left in limbo over his future at the Midlands club after being snubbed by Lambert. He is understood to be willing to battle for his place in the team but is concerned that he further disappear out of the international picture after not featuring in Roy Hodgson’s  recent World Cup qualifier squad.

Reports suggest that Villa will now seek a buyer in the transfer window for the striker they paid £18m to Sunderland for just 18 months ago and owner Randy Lerner will want to recoup at least £12m for Bent.

Bent had been handed the captain's armband by Lambert at the start of the season but has since lost it after the arrival of defender Ron Vlaar.

The 28-year-old then lost his starting berth for the games against West Brom and Tottenham with summer arrival Christian Benteke appearing to be the preferred strike partner for Gabby Agbonlahor.

QPR will be interested to hear about his availability with owner Tony Fernandes a long-term admirer while Liverpool are seeking a goalscorer after losing Fabio Borini to injury.

Villa are rumoured to be lining up a £5m move for Burnley’s goal machine Charlie Austin to replace Bent at the club.