Fulham striker Darren Bent has revealed that he remains confused as to why he was used sparingly by Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert last season.

The 29-year-old slipped behind Cristian Benteke in the pecking order for the Villains throughout the club's 2012-13 campaign, before sealing a season-long loan move to Craven Cottage in August.

However, the former Sunderland marksman, who arrived at Villa Park from the Black Cats for £18m in January 2011, admits he is still nonplussed over the abruptness of his dropping from the first-team set-up.

When asked what led to the partial exclusion, Bent told the Daily Mail: "I couldn't even tell you.

"People have said 'it's got to have been something. Did you have an argument or a falling out?' but it was nothing. He just seemed to change like that overnight.

"One minute everything was fine and the next minute - whoosh - out. It was difficult at first. I just couldn't get my head around it. I couldn't quite figure out why it was happening."

Bent went on to offer his support for under-fire Cottagers boss Martin Jol, whom he cites as a "massive" influence in his decision to join the West London outfit.

"We see how passionate Martin is. We probably see a side to him that others don't," he added.

"If he puts a session on, you know full well he's going to be right in there, pointing the finger and making sure everyone's pulling their weight. He doesn't sit back.

"We like Martin Jol and want him to stay. We like playing for him. We just need that consistency. He was a massive part of me joining Fulham."

Bent has scores two goals in five starts for Fulham so far this season.

Fulham, who sit just two points above the relegation zone in 16th place in the Premier League, travel to Anfield for a clash with Liverpool later today.