• Premier League

Houllier accuses Sunderland of lying over Bent

ESPN staff
January 21, 2011
Gerard Houllier has refused to hit back at Steve Bruce © PA Photos
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Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has accused Sunderland of lying as the war of words intensifies following the transfer of Darren Bent.

Sunderland have pointed the finger at Villa for their pursuit of Bent, with Steve Bruce hinting they made overtures towards the player prior to any bid being lodged: "I think that obviously they [representatives for Bent and Aston Villa] had had conversations."

Villa hit back with an unequivocal response, firmly denying any wrongdoing - and Houllier has continued in that vein by insisting that Sunderland retained the final say over whether the player stayed or left.

"I was surprised by some of the declarations and I thought that some people were not telling the truth, maybe they wanted to protect themselves," he said. "They had the right to say no."

Houllier refused to rise to the barbs aimed in his direction by Bruce after the Sunderland boss expressed frustration that he had not received a phone call from his Villa counterpart. "I like Steve Bruce and I think he's a very good manager," Houllier said. "I think he was maybe not too gracious to me, but that's life. It's not going to prevent me from sleeping."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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