Despite dominating much of Tuesday night’s Carling Cup tie against Aston Villa at the SOL the lads crashed out of the competition on penalties. Sunderland were the better side throughout a goalless ninety minutes and then a goalless extra time, but numerous missed chances throughout the game came back to haunt us.

Prior to the game Steve Bruce indicated he would be taking the tie seriously and he didn’t disappoint. We lined up strongly with Gordon in goal, behind a back four of Da Silva, Nos, Turner and McCartney. In a midfield five Campbell right, Murphy left with Henderson Cana and Richardson central. Jones was up front on his own. Aston Villa themselves fielded a near full strength side and were supported by a decent number of travelling fans after their chairman laid on free transport.

Fraser Campbell had a lively first half and was instrumental in much of the good stuff from Sunderland. He had the beating of Villa left back Warnock early on skinning him a few times costing the defender a booking before putting in a few decent crosses. Our best chances of the half fell to Jordan Henderson who first drilled a low shot inches wide after being set up by Richardson. Moments later Henderson looked to have won a penalty when he appeared to be brought down in the box by Dunne but the ref waved away the appeals. Then the young midfielder’s best effort came right at the end of the half when a stunning volley from about twenty yards was saved in spectacular fashion by Guzan.

After the break Villa had a better spell of possession but some colossal defending from Sunderland and in particular Michael Turner limited them in front of goal. Aston Villa’s best chance of the game came when Agbonlahor went clean through but Craig Gordon denied him with a great save.

We were awarded a penalty with five minutes to go in the second half much to the dismay of Martin O’Neill after Cuellar handled Andy Reid’s cross. With no Darren Bent it first looked like Kieran Richardson was shaping up to take the spot kick but Jones eventually stepped up. His penalty was poor, not enough power and too straight gifting Guzan an easy save.

Final Score: Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 0

Extra Time

We started extra time the better side and were on top for pretty much the whole of the first half. Richardson went closest with a snap shot on the turn before Henderson had another effort from range curl just wide. In the second half of extra time again we were the better side with sweeping moves down either flank causing Villa a lot of problems. Jones almost got on the end of a cross and then the chance of the match came in the last minute of injury time when Malbranque and Richardson went two on one with no Villa players anywhere near. Richardson opted to shoot straight at Guzan and essentially send the game to penalties.

Penalty Shootout

Before the shoot out I sensed Villa fancied it as they were all high fiveing their keeper whilst the lads looked dejected knowing they should have won the game first in normal and then extra time. Reid, Cana and Henderson all had their penalties saved with only Malbranque managing to find the net sending Aston Villa through to the next round. Gutted.

ALS Man of the Match: Michael Turner

Aidan Crowe

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