ALEX McLeish admits Villa must create and score more goals to ease the burden on Darren Bent and bring out the best in the record signing.

Bent has cut a frustrated figure in recent matches and has appeared isolated with the claret and blues struggling to supply the service to him.

The England striker has scored six goals this season, and missed several chances, but has barely had a kick in the last three matches.

Gabby Agbonlahor has been Bent’s biggest ally – creating chances for his fellow forward and finding the net six times himself.

But McLeish reckons their colleagues need to contribute more by spotting the intelligent runs of the former Sunderland striker.

“He does have great movement,” said the Villa boss. “It is a pity sometimes we don’t have quite the quality to see his runs and his movement.

“We did it ten times in the Norwich game and he got a couple of goals.

“We are capable of doing it, depending on our personnel. I’ve watched a couple of games from last year and Darren had only one chance on his debut against Manchester City and scored.

“He was starved of service that night as well but the guy only needs one chance and if he could have been rolled in by Emile Heskey on Saturday, it may have been different.