Aston Villa striker Darren Bent is pleased with his new nickname.

Bent has scored 11 goals in 22 appearances for Villa and has been nicknamed 'the Mailman' by club owner-chairman Randy Lerner.

Bent said: "Mr Lerner has always been great to me and, if I've done well in games and after England matches, he'll text me and say congratulations.

"Even after I missed some chances against Newcastle, he texted and said 'don't worry and keep going'. That's the kind of person he is.

"He calls me 'the Mailman'. It's after a top basketball player, Karl Malone. They called him 'The Mailman' because apparently he always delivered (the goods) so Randy calls me that now!

"He's always been good to me and I know he was good to one or two of the other players who aren't here anymore like Ashley Young.

"He said the same, that Randy had always been fantastic with him and he'd always be grateful to Randy. I think a lot of the lads think he's a top, top chairman.

"He cares about the football club and he cares about the history of the football club."