Aston Villa striker Darren Bent admits this season has been as difficult a time he's had in his career.

He lost his place at Tottenham under Harry Redknapp before joining Sunderland in a £16.5million move in 2009.

Speaking at the launch of Electronic Arts' new video game Medal of Honor Warfighter, Bent told The Sun: "It's always hard to take, I do better when I'm playing games.

"Spurs was probably the hardest thing I've been through. That was new to me, I came from Ipswich and Charlton where I'd been playing every game.

"Suddenly I was at Tottenham where they had Berbatov, Keane and Defoe so I knew how hard the challenge was going to be. But I wanted to go there to challenge them and it was always going to be difficult.

"Now I'm older and wiser, I know how to get through it. The Villa setbacks are on an equal par, but I've dealt with them better this time around.

"More than anything, it was the injury last season when I ruptured ankle ligaments. That was the first serious injury I'd had in my career.

"But it did toughen me up for this season. Now I expect anything. There was the injury, losing the captaincy and being in and out of the team. It's difficult. But I'm a stronger person now - a stronger character.

"Throughout my career I've liked to play to a rhythm, it's hard to play one game here and there.

"I've always tried to play consistently - that's worked for me. But if the current situation goes on into the season then I'll have to adapt, I guess."