Saturday November 3, 2012 Day 10 Finished Stadium of Light

  1. Premier League - Aston Villa stun sluggish Sunderland

    Premier League - Aston Villa stun sluggish Sunderland

    Gabriel Agbonlahor scored his first goal in 29 Premier League games to give Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Sunderland
    • Aston Villa
    • - What did you make of that result, and what's your reaction to another defeat for Sunderland? You can get in touch via Twitter @Dan_Eurosport
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+4' The full-time whistle goes, and Sunderland are utterly deflated as they go down 1-0 to Aston Villa, who celebrate wildly as they claim a hugely valuable win away from home! It's a huge win for Lambert's side, while boos ring out around the Stadium of Light.
    • 90+3' Bannan clears for Villa amid more desperate defending, and this is a chaotic finish to this match!
    • 90+2' Every Villa player is back defending frantically now as the visitors look to cling on to all three points.
    • 90+1' Fletcher shows his frustration as he brings down Bannan, and he is shown the yellow card.
    • 90' There will be four added minutes at the Stadium of Light, and it's all Sunderland as they desperately chase a goal.
    • 89' Benteke is using his height and aerial presence to defend now as Sunderland pile forward.
    • 88' Brett Holman comes on to replace Weimann, and Lambert is delighted with him as he comes off.
    • 87' The flag was actually up, so it wouldn't have counted anyway, but Guzan is struggling with a hand injury.
    • 86' What a save from Guzan! Cattermole drives a fierce shot from the edge of the area, and the keeper makes a fine stop.
    • 85' Johnson takes down a deep delivery from Cattermole with a good touch, and he wins a corner for the hosts.
    • 84' Seb Larsson is now taking up his fourth position of the afternoon after the introduction of Campbell - he's been moved around all over midfield.
    • 83' Sunderland are really frustrated now and the home fans are urging their players to pile forward.
    • 82' Fraizer Campbell comes on to replace Bardsley, and that is Sunderland's final change.
    • 81' Benteke is booked as he cynically tugs down O'Shea, who goes down very easily to make the most of it.
    • 79' Mignolet almost makes himself look very silly as he juggles the ball in his own penalty area, then overhead kicks the ball to Benteke, who shoots wide! Bizarre.
    • 77' Weimann should really have sealed the points and will that miss come back to haunt Villa.
    • 76' Another pacy counter-attack from the visitors sees Weimann charge clear, but he can only drive a tame shot straight at Mignolet from the edge of the Sunderland box.
    • 75' Vlaar has been superb at the back for Villa, and he wins another towering header to deny Sunderland a chance.
    • 74' Sunderland have won just one of their last six home Premier League games against Aston Villa.
    • 73' What an opportunity! Saha gets in front of his marker, substitute Enda Stevens, but he heads over the bar from close range!
    • 72' O'Neill is imploring his side to press upfield and to find something, but the home fans are beginning to despair.
    • 71' Lichaj is now going to come off for Villa, and he is replaced by Enda Stevens.
    • 69' Ciaran Clark is now booked for a poor challenge from behind on Colback.
    • 68' Barry Bannan makes a superb block to deny Adam Johnson's cross meeting his target, and Villa are defending superbly.
    • 67' That double change had been coming with O'Neill clearly furious with his players' performances so far this afternoon.
    • 65' Craig Gardner comes off as James McClean is introduced, while Louis Saha replaces Sessegnon.
    • 63' Sunderland are furious as they have a vociferous appeal for handball, and it was Benteke in the box who they believe handled! His arms were up, but it was surely not accidental.
    • 62' Agbonlahor took a knock as he scored with Cuellar catching him from behind, and he continues to hobble around on the touchline.
    • 61' Fletcher takes a nasty blow in the head after a clash with Vlaar, and he goes down injured.
    • 60' That's Agbonlahor's first goal in 29 Premier League games. His last goal came last November.
    • 58' Seven of Aston Villa’s nine league games this season have gone under 2.5 goals.
    • 57' Villa are jubilant, and Lambert clenches his fist on the touchline.
    • 56' GOAL! Agbonlahor puts Villa in front! Benteke does superbly to win a towering header at the back post after a swift counter-attack from the visitors, and Agbonlahor stabs the ball home from close range! Villa finally have a second-half goal in the Premier League this season!
    • 55' Larsson finds Cattermole, who very nearly picks out Fletcher with Vlaar stepping in at the crucial moment to intervene.
    • 54' This time Larsson meets a cross from Bardsley, and he turns the ball wide of the far post from the edge of the penalty area.
    • 53' Bardsley drifts over a fine delivery from the right this time, and Gardner does manage to meet it, without heading on target.
    • 52' Again, Sessegnon beats Lowton, but his dinked cross is not met in the box by a Sunderland player - the hosts need to get bodies into the penalty area.
    • 51' Fletcher again turns past his marker before looking to get his instant shot away, although it's well wide of the mark.
    • 50' Sessegnon dinks an inviting deep cross to the back post, but there is no one on hand to meet it. Poor.
    • 49' Cattermole and Colback exchange passes, and the pair are building the play nicely for the hosts early on in the second half.
    • 48' Larsson is beginning to look sharper after a quiet first half, and he keeps the ball down the left for Sunderland.
    • 47' Villa haven't scored an away goal in the second period of a Premier League game since January, but they will be desperate to put that right today.
    • 46' The second half is under way at the Stadium of Light, and neither manager sees fit to make any tactical changes just yet.
    • - What's your assessment of that first half? Who do you see going on to win this match, or do you predict a dull goalless draw? Get in touch with your thoughts... FOLLOW ON TWITTER!
    • 45+3' The half-time whistle goes at the Stadium of Light, and it's perhaps unsurprisingly goalless between two sides who have really struggled to find the back of the net so far this season. Fletcher had a goal disallowed for offside, but that's as close as we've come.
    • 45+2' Fletcher drives a speculative effort high and wide after shuffling inside to create some space, and that will be the end of the first half.
    • 45+1' An untidy and scrappy end to the half. Both defences have been on top while there has been very little in terms of atmosphere.
    • 45' There will be three added minutes at the end of this first half as both managers again shout orders at their players in extremely animated fashion.
    • 44' Larsson cuts inside from the left, and he creates space for himself before slicing a poor shot narrowly wide of the far post.
    • 43' Agbonlahor drops deep now as he looks to pick up the ball and run at the Sunderland back four.
    • 42' Agbonlahor shows his pace once more with a fine run down the right, but his cross is poor having drifted out wide.
    • 41' Ireland is now dropping very deep to pick up the ball and bring it forward, and this must be a tactical adjustment from Lambert at this stage.
    • 40' Villa counter though as Lowton wins the ball back and Ireland plays a one-two with Benteke before the Belgian opts not to strike the ball on the volley and is eventually crowded out.
    • 39' Martin O’Neill was manager of Aston Villa for four seasons, winning 61 of 152 Premier League matches, a win percentage of 40%. His current win % for Sunderland is 31% which is the second best by any Black Cats’ boss in the Premier League era after Peter Reid.
    • 38' Mignolet gets down low to his left to gather a shot from Bannan, and it's a fairly comfortable save.
    • 37' Lambert is very agitated on the touchline as he barks orders at his side, and it's slow going for both managers as their players contest every ball.
    • 36' Sessegnon almost picks out Gardner with a raking diagonal ball, but this time it doesn't come off.
    • 35' Bannan again picks out Benteke, but this time the forward's first touch lets him down and any potential opening goes begging.
    • 34' Adam Johnson is causing Villa a lot of problems with his direct runs, and he beats Lowton again.
    • 33' Bardsley, who was very fortunate to avoid a booking when injuring Bennett early in the match, is finally booked for a cynical kick on Agbonlahor.
    • 32' Bannan challenges Fletcher to break up the play once more, but again Villa cannot counter effectively.
    • 31' Cattermole goes close as he curls a precise shot agonisingly wide of the far post with Guzan at full stretch, and that was a fine effort.
    • 30' What a challenge from Ciaran Clark, who challenges Fletcher superbly inside the box to win the ball - it had to be perfect and was.
    • 29' Ireland is wasteful as Villa have a glorious chance to break at pace on the counter-attack, and he fails to pick out Agbonlahor with a poorly misplaced ball!
    • 27' This is a really good spell from Sunderland, and Fletcher wins a corner out on the right with good footwork.
    • 26' Cattermole links the play effectively as Sunderland enjoy a good period of possession, with Fletcher heading tamely straight to Guzan.
    • 25' With Villa having had six corners, Sunderland feel they are missing out and Larsson wins one at the other end of the field.
    • 24' At the other end Sudnerland win a free-kick and although Adam Johnson's delivery is a good one, Brad Guzan clings on to take the high ball.
    • 23' Chance! Agbonlahor squanders a good opportunity to put his side in front after a deep cross from Barry Bannan picks him out inside the Sunderland box, but he panics and drags a tame shot wide.
    • 22' Mignolet cliams the high ball very confidently inside the box, and he does well to gather it and clear.
    • 21' Lowton wins a corner for Villa down the right with a strong run, and Bannan will be getting bored of taking so many.
    • 19' Benteke links the play very effectively, and he combines with Lowton and Weimann.
    • 18' Agbonlahor shows real pace down the right to win another corner, and Villa are managing to keep Sunderland boxed in at the moment.
    • 17' Sunderland win a free kick as Lichaj clatters into Sessegnon, and this could be dangerous just outside the Villa box.
    • 16' Agbonlahor fires over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area, but it took a slight deflection so it will be a corner - Villa's fifth already.
    • 15' O'Neill is extremely animated now as he sees his team pegged back by the visitors, and with Benteke providing a real threat.
    • 14' Bannan again picks out Benteke with a deep cross, and the Belgian is always in the right areas inside the box.
    • 13' Matt Lowton claims a handball against a Sunderland defender, but they will have to settle for another corner.
    • 12' The Black Cats have lost just one of their last nine Premier League home games (W3 D5 L1), but have scored just five goals in their last seven league matches at the Stadium of Light.
    • 11' Benteke meets a deep cross from Weimann, but he can only head high over the crossbar. He's getting closer!
    • 10' Eric Lichaj comes on for Villa to replace the injured Bennett, and that's a real shame for the defender so early in the match.
    • 9' Christian Benteke does well to keep the ball in play, but then Sunderland clear Ashley Westwood's cross.
    • 8' Bennett goes down injured after he is caught by Bardsley, and that looks a very nasty one on the ankle!
    • 7' It's been a confident start from Sunderland, who are pressing very high up the field and putting the Villa defenders under pressure.
    • 6' STAT: Villa have made their worst start to a season since 1969 when they were relegated to the old division three. They have won none of their last 13 Premier League away matches (W0 D5 L8) going into this clash.
    • 5' Fletcher latches on to a precise through ball from Sessegnon and coolly lifts the ball over the onrushing Guzan, but a very late offside flag halts him in his tracks as he wheels away to celebrate!
    • 4' Lambert is bawling out his defenders for not stepping up quickly enough as a unit, but Fletcher is still ruled offside anyway.
    • 3' Agbonlahor makes a strong run down the right, before Westwood loses the ball attempting a through ball for Benteke.
    • 2' Both managers are out on the touchline barking orders at their players, and it's a typically frenetic start with long balls, fouls and set pieces.
    • 1' There's a very good atmosphere in the ground as Sessegnon charges down the right and has to be challenged by Bennett.
    • 14:55 We're all set for kick-off at the Stadium of Light, and the players are out ready to get the first half under way with Villa in their green change strip.
    • 14:50 The odds: Sunderland are 11/10 to claim the win, with Aston Villa 5/2 and the draw 23/10. The referee for this afternoon's match is Mick Jones.
    • 14:45 Villa manager Paul Lambert restores Brad Guzan, Joe Bennett, Ciaran Clark and Ashley Westwood to his team following the 3-2 midweek cup victory at Swindon.
    • 14:40 The out-of-form Black Cats are looking to halt a nightmare run that's seen them win just once in 16 Premier League games stretching back to March. Who fancies Martin O'Neill's side to come out on top today? Get in touch...
    • 14:35 Villa are currently languishing down in 17th posiiton on six points and without an away win since January; meanwhile, the Black Cats have only one win and six draws from their opening eight fixtures. Premier League table
    • 14:30 So Agbonlahor and Benteke will get another chance to impress in attack. What do you think the outcome will be today? What do you make of the two line-ups? Get in touch with your thoughs via @Dan_Eurosport - FOLLOW ON TWITTER
    • 14:25 So Darren Bent does not even make the bench for Villa. He injured a foot in training and has clearly not recovered in time for this match.
    • 14:20 WE HAVE THE TEAMS! Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Cattermole, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, O'Shea, Johnson, Cuellar, Fletcher, Sessegnon. Subs: Rose, Campbell, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Westwood, McClean, Saha. Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Bennett, Vlaar, Clark, Westwood, Bannan, Ireland, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke. Subs: Given, Albrighton, Holman, Delph, Stevens, Lichaj, Bowery
    • 14:15 Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Premier League match between Sunderland and Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.

  • Summary

    • 73' What an opportunity! Saha gets in front of his marker, substitute Enda Stevens, but he heads over the bar from close range!
    • 63' Sunderland are furious as they have a vociferous appeal for handball, and it was Benteke in the box who they believe handled! His arms were up, but it was surely not accidental.
    • 56' GOAL! Agbonlahor puts Villa in front! Benteke does superbly to win a towering header at the back post after a swift counter-attack from the visitors, and Agbonlahor stabs the ball home from close range! Villa finally have a second-half goal in the Premier League this season!
    • 5' Fletcher latches on to a precise through ball from Sessegnon and coolly lifts the ball over the onrushing Guzan, but a very late offside flag halts him in his tracks as he wheels away to celebrate!
    • 14:20 WE HAVE THE TEAMS! Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Cattermole, Larsson, Gardner, Colback, O'Shea, Johnson, Cuellar, Fletcher, Sessegnon. Subs: Rose, Campbell, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Westwood, McClean, Saha. Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Bennett, Vlaar, Clark, Westwood, Bannan, Ireland, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Benteke. Subs: Given, Albrighton, Holman, Delph, Stevens, Lichaj, Bowery

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.9 6
      Defenders
      Yellow Card Substitution Out81′ 4.9 5
      5.7 6
      6 5
      5.4 6
      Midfielders
      5 6
      Substitution Out68′ 5.6 6
      5.7 6
      5.1 5
      Strikers
      Yellow Card 6.4 6
      Substitution Out68′ 5.2 5
      Subs
      Substitution In68′ 3.9 5
      Substitution In81′ 2.8 6
      Substitution In68′ 4 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      8.4 7
      Defenders
      7.5 7
      8.1 8
      Yellow Card 7.6 8
      Substitution Out11′ 6 6
      Midfielders
      6.7 7
      7.1 7
      7.1 7
      Strikers
      Substitution Out85′ 7.3 7
      Goal 6.4 7
      Yellow Card 7.9 7
      Subs
      Substitution In11′ Yellow Card Substitution Out72′ 7.2 6
      Substitution In72′ 6.3 6
      Substitution In85′ 7 6

Comment 34 - 54 of 54

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  1. MON is past his best. Sunderland have had 13 shots on­ target this season, Everton had more than that­ yesterday. MON thinks they should have got something­ out of the game. Not from the reports I have read­ Martin.. WQE laughes when NUFC signed Pardew as­ Manager.. Who is laughing now??

    From stephen, on Sun 4 Nov 19:30

  2. Now is ONeill any better than Bruce? They haven't­ done much since he took over so he is not the saviour­ they thought he was

    From pete s, on Sun 4 Nov 7:48

  3. oh mirth ........Jerseph ,did ye enjoy the game hinny ?­ Should be bucketloads o goals at Everton next week­ ........and theyl not be yours !

    From JohnnyGurkha, on Sun 4 Nov 1:42

  4. 9 games in and a Newcastle own goal scorer is still­ your second top scorer, how embarrassing is that, god­ it must be horrible to be a Sunderland fan!!!

    From JONNY, on Sat 3 Nov 17:57

  5. Well Sunderland have a tough couple of away games­ coming up but it may be a relief for the players to get­ away from the pressure of the sol for a while but­ I'm afraid, I expect them to get beat. Sunderlands­ confidence is low but the reason for that is, lack of­ ability, catch 22, nothing can be done about it until­ the Jan transfer window and even then, are the board­ going to give MON another £26mil to waste???

    From JONNY, on Sat 3 Nov 17:47

  6. Booos ring out at the stadium of shyte, ha, ha, ha, ha,­ ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

    From no-one-is-no-one, on Sat 3 Nov 17:05

  7. Worst record in the EPL season 2012-2013, ha, ha, ha,­ ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,­ ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. MON the messiah, MON the­ messiah, MON the messiah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,­ ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,­ ha, ha. That girl joseph says MON is building a team,­ LEGO has a better chance, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,­ ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha,­ ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

    From no-one-is-no-one, on Sat 3 Nov 17:03

  8. Get your coat, go to the pay office and pick up your­ bus fare and frig off O'Neill, Ipswich have just­ signed the manager Sunderland should of had. Time to go­ on hands and knees and crawl to Stevie Bruce to come­ back.

    From Yvonne M, on Sat 3 Nov 17:01

  9. Great result--I hope we"re turning the corner.

    From bizriak, on Sat 3 Nov 17:00

  10. Martha watch the door doesn't hit your @r$e on the­ way out

    From sage, on Sat 3 Nov 16:58

  11. And it's demba. Ba. Still second. Top scorer for­ the mackems

    From Chris, on Sat 3 Nov 16:58

  12. Well done Villa

    From IAN, on Sat 3 Nov 16:57

  13. lets all party with marty haha

    From JOHN, on Sat 3 Nov 16:55

  14. LOST, LOST, LOST, LOST, LOST, LOST, LOST, LOST. MON THE­ MESSIAH, MON THE MESSIAH HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA,­ HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA,­ HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA,­ HA, HA, HA, HA, HA.

    From no-one-is-no-one, on Sat 3 Nov 16:55

  15. nothing

    From mick the plumber, on Sat 3 Nov 16:48

  16. Will you lot stop complaining about comments­ disappearing, there's a game going on, come on­ Villa ha ha ha!!

    From JONNY, on Sat 3 Nov 16:47

  17. This result could be massive for Villa's survival­ hopes but will put a big dent in Sunderlands champions­ league ambitions ha ha ha ha hahahaaaaaa!!!!

    From JONNY, on Sat 3 Nov 16:44

  18. As usual---comments gone again--who is the d------d in­ charge of this outfit???

    From Bob P, on Sat 3 Nov 16:41

  19. what is the point of having a comments facility thay­ does not workk Yahoo you are rubbish

    From Duncan, on Sat 3 Nov 16:38

  20. Well, as a neutral, I can see Sunderland going a­ journey, Mignolet keeping the score down but looks like­ even the luck has deserted them, if the lucks gone,­ then so are they because Lady Luck has been their best­ player this season!!!

    From JONNY, on Sat 3 Nov 16:37
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