Sunderland’s miserable run of form continued on Tuesday night slumping to a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at the SOL. Goals in either half from first Emile Heskey and then a wonder strike from James Milner leaves us with no win in four and only one goal in four, which is just not good enough. To make matters worse Lorik Cana saw red late for two rash tackles, but one little positive was the return of Lee Cattermole from injury as a second half sub.

We lined up with Fulop in goal behind a back four of Nos, Turner, Da Silva and McCartney. In midfield Reid, Cana, Richardson and Henderson. Jones and Bent up front.

Villa started the better team with Young, Milner and Downing looking threatening with slick interplay on the wet surface. They created a chance for Warnock but his volley sailed high over the bar and nearly into the Black Cats Bar.

To be fair we rallied a bit after this and Reid flashed a corner across the box which only needed a touch and then Henderson went close with a thunderous volley from about twenty yards.

However with Villa’s pace on the break they were a constant threat and Cana was forced into fouling Agbonlahor in the centre circle to end one counter. Soon after though Sunderland were carved open and Heskey went through before being brought down on the edge of the area this time by McCartney. Downing took the free kick which hit the bar before we scrambled it clear.

It wasn’t long till we went behind though after some sloppy play at the back. McCartney played a loose ball into the midfield which was seized upon by Petrov who in turn found Milner who then played in Heskey. The England forward made no mistake thumping a low shot into the bottom corner giving Fulop no chance.

We ended the half slightly better and should have levelled after great work from Henderson on the right wing. The youngster’s cross fell to Reid whose right foot volley was saved brilliantly by Friedel.

On the half time whistle the SOL erupted into a chorus of boos but this was for the officials who were awful.

After the break Andy Reid found himself in another great position to equalise after Darren Bent’s flick from a long ball from Da Silva sat up for him in the box. However with just Friedel to beat and this time on his stronger left foot the Irishman failed to hit the target.

That was our chance to get back in the game and with half an hour to go James Milner, who always seems to score against us, sealed the three points for Villa. He picked up the ball about twenty five yards from goal and lashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Despite our best efforts we couldn’t find a quality final ball with Villa/Dunne defending our long punts at Jones comfortably. One bit of quality came with twenty minutes to go when McCartney played a one two with Reid before crossing low into the box but Cuellar got to it before Jones to clear.

It could have been worse for Sunderland as Ashley Young crashed a shot off the post before Cana got sent off for hacking down Downing on the edge of the area. After the captain’s dismissal it looked like damage limitation from Steve Bruce as both Mensah and Bardsley came on for Turner and Jones and Villa comfortably saw out the win.

Final Score: Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 2

ALS Man of the Match: Andy Reid

Aidan Crowe

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