Aston Villa striker Darren Bent is keen to hold onto the captaincy in Stiliyan Petrov's absence.

Manager Paul Lambert wants Bent, who led his former club Charlton, to prove he is the right man to take responsibility as Petrov continues his rehabilitation.

Bent said: "It's a great honour to captain a side like Aston Villa, especially after someone like Stiliyan Petrov, who has been captaining Villa for a lot of years.

"If I can hang on to it, I'll be delighted, and that's a big goal of mine. The gaffer just said to me 'I've given you the armband for now, and I just want you to justify why I've given it to you'.

"I want to just try and lead by example and try and be a good role model. I was captain of Charlton for a year and I enjoyed that and if I get to keep it this year I'll be delighted."