Bent’s old side Aston Villa travel to bitter rivals Birmingham City on Sunday.
Darren Bent is tipping his old side Aston Villa – and old boss Steve Bruce – to win Sunday’s second city derby against Birmingham City.
Speaking to Talksport on Friday, the Derby County striker suggested that the experience Bruce has of such big games – having previously managed Birmingham in this fixture – could be a deciding factor at St. Andrew’s.
Despite holding the home advantage, as well as being nine places and six points better off than Villa, Bent believes Birmingham will struggle against their former boss’s new employers.
Asked if Villa an win across the city, Bent replied: “Yeah they can do. It’s gonna be a difficult game, but these derby games form goes out of the window.
“I just think Villa are settled and will rise to the occasion better, I think they’ll win the game. Brucey, he’s an experienced manager, he knows these kind of games so he’s got that in his favour.”
Bent played under Bruce for 18 months at Sunderland before handing in a transfer request in order to push through a move to Aston Villa, who hired the 56-year-old as Roberto Di Matteo’s replacement this month.
And Bruce has wasted no time transforming the Villans’ fortunes, taking seven points from a possible nine and ending their away and consecutive-win hoodoos.
In six years as manager of Blues, Bruce was promoted in both of his seasons at Championship level.
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