Ghent started his football career with Aston Villa as an associated schoolboy player and as a schoolboy represented England 27 times at the age of 14-18 playing against the likes of Germany,Sweden and Brasil and was part of the prestigious National School of excellence playing with the likes of Michael Owen, Wes Brown and Scott Parker following this Ghent progressed to a traineeship at Aston Villa despite interest from Newcastle United before turning professional in 1997 at the age of 17. He appeared as an unused substitute for Aston Villa against Southampton in the premier league 16 days after his 17th Birthday at the time making him the youngest ever Goalkeeper to appear on a Premier League teamsheet. From there he made further squad appearances against Arsenal and Manchester United that season. Having been a regular reserve at Aston Villa he left the club in December 2000 to trial at Nottingham Forest and later that season went on to join Lincoln City on a free transfer. Following this he joined Barnsley F.C. on a free transfer and went on to become a regular first team player making his debut in what would be the Championship today against Wimbledon FC where he saved a 75th-minute penalty to aid in Barnsley only away clean sheet of that season.