Darren Bent handed number 39 for Aston Villa

Darren Bent looks certain to depart Aston Villa this summer after being handed the number 39 shirt for the coming season.

The 29-year-old, who scored just six goals for the club last season, arrived at Villa Park from Sunderland for a fee in the region of £24m in 2011.

However, he fell out of favour with manager Paul Lambert last season, with Fulham and Newcastle United both believed to be interested in his services.

Stephen Ireland, Alan Hutton and Barry Bannan, meanwhile, have been handed the number 40, number 41 and number 42 shirts respectively.