Darren Bent wants an England run

Darren Bent has declared himself ready to become England's top dog.

The Villa striker bagged his third international goal in three games in Saturday's 2-0 win against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Bent got the nod ahead of Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch to spearhead England's attack in a 4-3-3 formation.

The forward outshone Wayne Rooney and now wants to become national boss Fabio Capello's main man.

He said: "I'd love to be No 9 for as long as possible, there are a lot of top strikers about but Fabio keeps picking me and hopefully I can keep producing the goods.

"Even when the goals weren't going in I always believed I was good enough to score at this level and hopefully it's showing now.

"I'm finally getting my chance and getting a good run in the side. I'm delighted with it.

"It has been years since my first chance and it's certainly been a long, long wait but it's finally come."

Bent and team-mate Ashley Young ripped Wales apart in the Euro 2012 qualifier as England raced into a 2-0 lead after 15 minutes.

Young supplied Bent with his goal after winning the penalty for Frank Lampard to score when he was felled by Villa pal James Collins.

And Bent admitted Young will have put suitors Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham on red alert.

He said: "Ashley has been playing really, really well and has been linked to top sides. The form he showed on Saturday shows why those sides are after him."

The 27-year-old and Young will now hope to reproduce their international form for Villa and pull away from the Premier League drop zone.

He said: "It is difficult. Our club form takes priority because it's the way you earn your living.

"But these international breaks are nice to go away and try and get some confidence and play well, then take it back to Villa."