LONDON (AFP) - Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert confirmed on Thursday that striker Darren Bent was undergoing a medical at Fulham with a view to a season-long loan deal at their Premier League football rivals.

Crystal Palace appeared to be on the verge of signing the 29-year-old until Eagles manager Ian Holloway said that Bent had opted for Fulham.

And Lambert underscored Fulham's interest by saying of Bent: "He's just away down to Fulham.

"I think it's well-documented now that he's down there having a medical and that's the last I've heard."

Bent joined Villa from Sunderland for £24 million (S$47.2 million) in 2011, but fell out of favour last season, with Lambert opting for Christian Benteke up front instead.

Fulham manager Martin Jol refused to specify his club's interest in Bent but did say the London side were on the lookout for a striker.

"We need quality up front and we're trying to get someone in that position in the next week. We need some pace up front," the Dutchman said.