Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is determined to keep hold of striker Darren Bent.

The Sunday Mirror says Lerner is adamant he will not sanction a sale of Bent - at any price.

The American billionaire has let senior staff at Villa Park know his views as transfer rumours continue to surround the England striker.

And the message they've been given is that if Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy can resist selling Luka Modric when Chelsea come calling, then Villa can turn down any offer for Bent.

Liverpool and QPR have both been linked with the 27-year-old who cost a club record £24million when he arrived from Sunderland a year ago.

A Villa source said: "We realise it will be hard to make these stories go away until the window closes but our stance is clear."