EMILE Heskey has backed Villa striker Darren Bent to become the 20-goal-a-season hero the claret and blues have been craving.

Bent took his tally to six goals in 11 games for Villa with his header in Saturday’s 2-1 victory at West Ham.

And the former Sunderland frontman might have had an ever higher ratio but for two seemingly legitimate disallowed goals in two matches.

Bent has taken Heskey’s place spearheading Gerard Houllier’s attack since arriving during the January transfer window. Villa’s record signing has also laid claim to his fellow forward’s England No.9 shirt since Heskey hung up his international boots.

And Heskey is convinced Bent will break the 20-goal barrier during his first full season for his new club next term.

Juan Pablo Angel was the last Villa player to score a score of goals when he hit 23 in 2003-04 – 16 in the Premier League and seven in the League Cup.

The claret and blues must go back 30 years for the last time a Villa star hit 20 league goals – with Peter Withe achieving that feat in the 1981 First Division title win.

While Heskey is known as an all-round striker who struggles for goals, Bent is often described as one-dimensional, an out-and-out scorer. But the experienced targetman – who scored six times in the first half of the season – still recognises a prolific striker when he sees one.