Bent hails Shearer

Bent's strike in their 2-2 league draw with QPR in midweek took his tally in England's top flight to three figures.

Shearer is the Premier League's all-time leader scorer with 260 goals and Bent has labelled him an 'icon' of the English game ahead of Villa's clash with Newcastle at St James' Park.

The former Sunderland and Tottenham striker is full of admiration for the ex-England international and he hopes to emulate his success at Villa.

Icon

"I don't think I could ever be hero-worshipped like Shearer was at Newcastle. I'm not sure anyone could," said Bent.

"He was a real icon of our domestic game - and world football too. He was someone I looked up to greatly.

"He is a real legend up there because he moved to Newcastle and stayed up there for the rest of his career. He is a true Toon icon.

"If I could be half as much of an icon for Villa as he is at Newcastle, it would be amazing. It would mean I was doing something right in claret and blue!"

Privileged

Bent has scored 19 goals in 38 games since joining Villa just over 12 months ago - an average of a goal every two games.

He accepts he has work to do to catch up with Shearer, though, adding: "Alan is way out in front in that 100 goals club that I've been privileged to join.

"He's simply the best striker to have ever come out of this country. I have nothing but admiration for him.

"He's one of the three very best strikers to have played in the Premier League along with Thierry Henry and Andy Cole. For me they are the best three."