Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 1

At last Sunderland`s first away win of the season courtesy of a Michael Chopra goal.

Sunderland deserved their victory against a Villa side chasing a European place.

Villa created the first real chance of the game and what a goal it would have been if Carew`s bicycle kick had been on target.

Then it was the usual bad decision by the officials as Scott Carson got away with handling outside the area.

Sunderland then created some good chances the first coming when Murphy wiped in a delightful cross only for O`Donovan to put his effort way over the bar.

The second came when Reid put a good cross over only for O`Donovan to beating to the ball by Larsen.

Villa had a very good chance to take the lead early in the second half. Harewood was through on goal thankfully he put his shot wide of Gordon`s post.

We created another good chance this time Murphy broke in to the box only for his shot to hit the side netting. He maybe should looked and found Chopra on the other side of the box.

After some good build up play the ball was teed up for a Leadbitter shot however his shot was well wayward.

We eventually took the lead we deserved when Richardson`s long ball found Chopra. Chopra then coolly slotted home his first away goal the year.

As we looked to see out the victory Villa cause us another scare this time Agbonlahor was denied by a great save from Gordon.



Sunderland Line Up 4-4-2

Gordon 7
Bardsley 8
Nosworthy 9
Evans 8
Collins 8
Edwards 6 (Leadbitter 6)
Whitehead 7
Reid 7
Richardson 7
Murphy 6 (Yorke 6)
O`Donovan 6 (Chopra 7)


Subs not used

Fulop
Prica


Vital Sunderland Says
It great to finally get our first away win hopefully it will hold us in good stead for the rest of the season.

Chopra took his goal well but he needs to be starting upfront and he`s not a winger