Seven Aston Villa players are provisionally in the running for Great Britain’s London Olympics football squad this summer.

And Darrren Bent, who is among the group, could be considered for selection for the Games if he fails to make the cut for England’s Euro 2012 campaign.

Alan Hutton, James Collins, Barry Bannan, Gary Gardner, Nathan Delfouneso and Nathan Baker have also been included as ‘potentials’.

Each of the seven Villa players has received a letter notifying them they are part of Stuart Pearce’s initial long list.

The GB boss must select an 18-man united British squad made up of 15 Under-23s and three over-age players from the home nations. England Euro 2012 hopeful Bent, aged 28, Scottish full-back Hutton, 27, and Welsh centre-half Collins, 28, are among the older candidates.

There is likely to be just two spaces left for seniors with former England captain David Beckham widely tipped to take one of the three spots.

Bannan, 22, a full Scotland international, and Gardner, 19, Delfouneso, 21, and Baker, 20, who have all represented England at various age group levels, fall into the Under-23 category.

Bent’s inclusion for the Great Britain Olympic squad would hinge on him missing out on the Three Lions’ Euro 2012 travelling party.

Pearce confirmed before the letters were sent out to clubs that players would not be expected to play in both Euro 2012 and the Olympics.

“We have agreed that any player who boards the plane to the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine will not be considered for selection to Team GB,” he said.

“It’s a sensible football decision when you consider the demands on players, and it now leaves no room for doubt for players and their clubs about next summer and the two major tournaments.”

GB’s men’s team kick off their campaign on July 26 and could be involved until August 11 if they make it all the way to Wembley final.