The 28-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the season after he damaged his ankle ligaments during Villa's draw with Wigan Athletic at the start of March.
He has now been told by a specialist that he can resume running as he begins his recovery process.
Despite his expected return to fitness in six weeks, it is unlikely that Bent will be selected for England's Euro 2012 squad.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Arsenal | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 82 | 26 | 56 | 77 |
| 2 | Manchester CityMan City | 33 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 80 | 32 | 48 | 76 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 34 | 22 | 8 | 4 | 75 | 34 | 41 | 74 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 34 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 71 | 50 | 21 | 66 |
| 5 | Tottenham HotspurSpurs | 32 | 18 | 6 | 8 | 65 | 49 | 16 | 60 |
| 6 | Manchester UnitedMan Utd | 33 | 16 | 5 | 12 | 51 | 50 | 1 | 53 |
| 7 | Newcastle UnitedNewcastle | 33 | 15 | 5 | 13 | 69 | 54 | 15 | 50 |
| 8 | West Ham UnitedWest Ham | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 54 | 63 | -9 | 48 |
| 9 | Chelsea | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 61 | 57 | 4 | 47 |
| 10 | Bournemouth | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 49 | 60 | -11 | 45 |
| 11 | Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton | 33 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 52 | 54 | -2 | 44 |
| 12 | Wolverhampton WanderersWolves | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 46 | 54 | -8 | 43 |
| 13 | Fulham | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 50 | 54 | -4 | 42 |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 44 | 56 | -12 | 39 |
| 15 | Brentford | 34 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 52 | 59 | -7 | 35 |
| 16 | Everton | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 36 | 48 | -12 | 33 |
| 17 | Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest | 34 | 7 | 9 | 18 | 42 | 60 | -18 | 26 |
| 18 | Luton TownLuton | 34 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 47 | 75 | -28 | 25 |
| 19 | Burnley | 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 37 | 69 | -32 | 23 |
| 20 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 34 | 3 | 7 | 24 | 33 | 92 | -59 | 16 |
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