Darren Bent has taken a swipe at Aston Villa for the way they treated him

Darren Bent: Hopes loan move to Fulham will help to reignite his career

Bent has moved to Craven Cottage on a season-long loan after being frozen out of the first-team picture at Villa under Paul Lambert.

Despite Villa spending much of last season battling to avoid relegation, Bent was regularly overlooked.

He has suffered his fair share of injuries in recent times, but he managed just 16 Premier League appearances in 2012/13 - netting three goals.

Bent hopes a move to Fulham will help to reignite his career, with the 29-year-old determined to start enjoying his football again and force his way back into the England fold in time for the 2014 World Cup.

He said on his treatment at Villa under Lambert: "It was horrible. It wasn't so much the injuries - although they didn't help - it was just the uncertainty.

"I understand that not every player can be every manager's cup of tea.

"But to be alienated like that, to be kicked out of the first team dressing room when I've played a long time and when I'm an international, just felt a bit disappointing.

"There were times when I was thinking, 'Do I really deserve this?' to be treated like that was bad.

"I'm not just hungry to play football again at Fulham, I'm absolutely starving.

"I've missed out on a couple of major competitions with England, so I just hope this is my year."