Aston Villa striker Darren Bent hopes to move to Newcastle United, it has been revealed.

The Journal says United are the number one choice of Bent, who has been identified by boss Alan Pardew as a top target for the summer.

Although Villa have let it be known that there have been no official bids, Derek Llambias had made contact with officials at the Second City club about a bid before he resigned in the wake of the Joe Kinnear appointment.