Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is adamant that Darren Bent wasn't dropped for the draw with West Bromwich Albion after his poor start to the season.

The England international started the match on the bench before coming on to cancel out Shane Long's opener in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.

Bent has endured a disappointing start to the campaign, but after scoring his side's equaliser on Sunday, Paul Lambert says that the 28-year-old wasn't dropped.

"He wasn't losing his place," said Lambert. "I just wanted to change it and the response was brilliant.

"I just picked a team that I thought might win us the game. I need everybody, not just eighteen guys. It's about a 25-man squad.

"I don't think Darren has anything to prove to anybody, least of all myself because he's a natural finisher."

Villa paid £18m for Bent in January 2011.