koclokindoblog, 4 Mei 2012, Aston Villa must fix their goal-scoring troubles without striker Darren Bent as they look to stave off relegation against Tottenham on Sunday.Villa have scored one goal in four matches as they move closer towards the English Premier League's relegation zone and manager Alex McLeish revealed this week he had looked into bringing Bent back from an ankle injury that he suffered in February.
But while the England international striker, who is Villa's top scorer this season with nine goals in the EPL, is recovering well, McLeish will not risk him in his side's final two games of the season.
"I said 'are you ready to go on the bench at the weekend or something," McLeish said on Wednesday.
"(Bent) said: 'No, not quite, but I'm making good progress, so boss it might be too soon'.
"I don't believe there is a chance of him playing again for Villa this season."
Instead the 53-year-old manager will make do with the players at his disposal against Tottenham on Sunday and against Norwich on the final day of the season.
Villa are the second-worst attacking team in the EPL this season with just 36 goals in as many games and could be dragged level with teams in the relegation zone if they lose to Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers overcome Stoke and Bolton defeat West Brom.
Villa are 15th on the table, two spots clear of the relegation zone, equal with Wigan on 37 points and only three points ahead of QPR and Bolton.
Apart from Bent, Villa's best scorers this season are Gabriel Agbonlahor (5 goals), Stiliyan Petrov (4 goals), who is out as he fights leukemia, and Robbie Keane (3 goals), who has finished his loan-spell and is back with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
McLeish's side host a Tottenham side back in form on Sunday.
Tottenham went into last weekend having only managed two victories in the Premier League since the start of February but have now notched two in a row.
Harry Redknapp's men defeated Blackburn 2-0 on Sunday and then thumped Bolton 4-1 on Wednesday to move back into fourth spot on the league table.
That spot could come with a Champions League spot, assuming Chelsea do not win this season's final, and Redknapp will be pushing Tottenham to ensure they stay ahead of Newcastle with a win against Villa.
Tottenham are on 65 points, ahead of Newcastle on goal difference and just behind third-placed Arsenal, who have 66 points.
soccerway.com
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