Darren Bent has admitted that he would like to stay at Aston Villa beyond this season.

The former England striker was deemed surplus to requirements by former Villa manager Paul Lambert, who let him join Derby County on loan in January.

With his contract scheduled to expire this summer, current boss Tim Sherwood said that he would not be adverse to the idea of seeing the 31-year-old offered an extension.

However, Bent says that he would be happy to remain at the iPro Stadium if a return to the West Midlands fails to materialise.

Asked if he would like a Villa return, he told Sky Sports News: "Who knows? It is a fantastic football club, I would be lying if I said it wouldn't be nice to go back.

"But at the same time I have had a great time at Derby, they are firmly in my thoughts too, so I will go away and have a think in the summer.

"Everyone wants to play in the Premier League, it's the best league in the world, but if not then Derby in the Championship would be a good option. It's a case of going somewhere where I'm going to play. I have had a good time at Derby, playing week-in, week-out, scoring a few goals and finding form again."

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker netted 10 times as the Rams narrowly missed out on a playoff spot.