Darren Bent felt 'slapped in the face' by Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert

Darren Bent has claimed that he was forced to leave Aston Villa after receiving too many "slaps in the face".

The former England striker joined Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion on a one-month loan this week.

Bent has not started for the Midlands outfit since May 2013, and the 30-year-old does not understand Paul Lambert's reluctance to use him even in a period during which Villa went five games without scoring.

"In Paul's first season it was difficult but this last season has been a bit more difficult because pre-season went well, he brought me back in but even though the team struggled to score goals and win matches I still wasn't given an opportunity to play," he told Sky Sports News.

"There are only so many slaps in the face you can take before you have to go and look elsewhere."

Bent has netted 25 goals in 72 outings for Villa since becoming their £24m club-record signing in 2011.

Lambert's side are the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season, having notched just six times in 12 games.