McAllister: Bent's goals rescued Villa from relegation

Gary McAllister has admitted Aston Villa could have been relegated without £18m striker ­Darren Bent’s goals.

McAllister, in charge while Gerard Houllier continues recovering from his heart scare, said: “It was a show of faith from the chairman to back Gerard.

“It’s a signing that’s saved the club. We were heading into an area where we’d not have liked to be.”