Aston Villa have dropped their asking price for Darren Bent.

The Sunday Sun says the Midlands club would now be prepared to accept in the region of £6m for the 29-year-old striker, a whopping £2m reduction off their original asking price.

This might still not be enough of a discount to tempt Newcastle United, but this move is at least a sign that Villa are willing to compromise having failed to receive a single bid during the first week of the transfer window being opened.