Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish insists record signing Darren Bent is not for sale as speculation continues to link him with a move to Liverpool.

Bent, Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner and McLeish had all previously said the striker was going nowhere.

McLeish said: "We've not heard a thing from Liverpool. I'm aware of the speculation.

"But there has been no contact with this club and I think you've had three parties telling you that. But, even if there was contact, we would not entertain that (selling Bent).

"We wouldn't want to entertain selling our top scorer of last season. He is a prolific marksman."