Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert defended not playing Darren Bent in their 0-0 draw against Arsenal.

Lambert did not to include fit-again striker Bent amongst the 18 players selected to face Arsenal.

He said: "It is my choice. I thought the squad I went with could win us the game.

"I've got 25-26 players to think about.

The most important thing is this football club and I pick a team and squad I think will do well."