VILLA BACK ON TRACK WITH SUNDERLAND WIN

By Ryan Ghee
November 19 2005

Aston Villa eased past Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this afternoon as they moved clear of the relegation zone and relieved the pressure on boss David O'Leary.

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips opened the scoring early in the second half before Barry and Baros found the target to ensure Villa's first Premiership win in four attempts.

Both sides started the game knowing full well that anything other than a victory could see them fall deep into relegation trouble and both managers had clearly called on their troops to find an early goal.

Jonathon Stead, playing upfront for Sunderland, started the game brightly and twice tested former Black Cat Thomas Sorenson from distance, although it must be said both shots seemed to be more in hope than expectancy.

McCann, the third former Sunderland player on the Villa side, linked up well with Phillips soon after, but Gareth Barry failed to control the resulting chance and screwed his effort wide of the goal.

Both goalkeepers were then called into action as Thomas Sorensen denied Alan Stubbs with fine low save and Sunderland's Ben Alnwick brilliantly pushed Kevin Phillips' shot to safety with one a one-handed save.

The Villans ended the half on top as Barry and Baros both came close but neither side could find a breakthrough.

However, just before half-time, Villa should have had the lead as James Milner's harmless shot seemed to be carried over the line by Alnwick in the Sunderland goal. Both the referee and his assistant missed the incident and at half-time, the game was goalless.

The fast tempo of the match continued in the second half as Le Tallec and Barry wasted great chances to give their respective clubs the lead before Kevin Phillips opened the scoring on 55 minutes.

After great work from Baros down the flank, Aaron Hughes whipped the ball into the box and Kevin Phillips was left with a simple finish from close-range.

However, replays seemed to suggest that Baros had carried the ball across the by-line in the build-up to the goal and Sunderland were left fuming at the decision.

The home side very nearly equalised just a minute later as Christian Bassila unleahed a powerful drive which bounced off the underside of the bar, hit the goal-line, and bounced agonisingly away from the Villa goal.

With 25 minutes remaining, Kevin Phillips picked up an injury and was given a standing ovation by the home fans as he was replaced by Luke Moore.

With only 8 minutes of the game remaining, The Villans moved into the comfort zone as Gareth Barry doubled the lead with a neat finish following great work from James Milner.

Just seconds later, the three points were sealed as Milan Baros added his name to the scoresheet with a clinical finish after he burst through the beleaguered Sunderland back-line.

As the Sunderland fans poured out of the stadium before the final whistle, Liam Ridgewell brought down Stead in the area and Dean Whitehead calmly converted for a mere consolation.

Thanks to the much needed win, Villa are now 15th in the Premiership table but Sunderland's season is starting to look all but over as they set yet another record: 17 Premiership games without a home win.