Aston Villa are in the frame for Tottenham striker Darren Bent.

The Times says Peter Crouch's arrival from Portsmouth will signal the departure of Bent, who could be on his way to Sunderland if a fee can be agreed.

Tottenham's £18 million valuation is about £6 million more than Sunderland have suggested. Bent, who was signed from Charlton Athletic for £16.5 million two years ago, is holding out for a better option such as Aston Villa.

He has had little future at Tottenham since Harry Redknapp joked that his wife could have scored with the kind of free header that the striker missed against Portsmouth in January.