DARREN BENT was just as upset about the the reaction of Sunderland’s supporters towards him as he was about missing a glorious chance to put Aston Villa ahead, according to team-mate Stilyan Petrov.

Bent was given a rough ride from the moment he walked out of the tunnel at the Stadium of Light on Saturday for the way he demanded a £24m move to Villa last January.

Many Sunderland fans – who hurled derogatory banners in front of him and chanted uncomplimentary songs in his direction – are unlikely to forgive him after hearing him declare his love for the club on so many occasions.

And the same supporters were satisfied to see goalkeeper Keiren Westwood make a 73rd minute save with his legs to deny the England poacher a typical Bent goal during the 2-2 draw.

Petrov, who scored the first for Villa, said: “We spoke to him before the game and he said ‘look I had a great time here’. We asked how would he react if he scored and he insisted he would not celebrate.

“The fans here probably don’t realise that. He paid them that respect. He respects them, yet when he comes out, he gets all that stick.

“I think Darren will be as upset with the miss as he is about the reception he got from the fans. When you come back to a club where you have had such a great time and you are on the end of a reception like that, it is really painful.

“Of course, he is hurt by it.

Who wouldn’t be. In fact, he was really surprised by just how loud the booing was. I don’t think he thought it would be that bad. But whatever happens, he will still carry on scoring goals for us.

We all believe that.”