All the headlines through the week were all about the return of Darren Bent aka the betrayer and whether he would have the last laugh.
Moving to the match, possession was fought over with Safc edging it. The main chance of our spell was a free kick from Larsson which tested Given. Next it was Villa’s turn as pacy winger N’Zogbia delivered a teasing cross which nearly left Bent with an open goal…but thankfully Richardson cleared before the ball reached him, phew. The game was end to end, one of our defenders whilst tackling felt his hamstring pull which he previously injured so he was substituted for Bardo who had just finished his suspension. (John O’Shea)
The games first goal then came within 5 minutes of that when Hutton was left with too much space and put Stillian Petrov in and after he turned Vaughan, he unleashed a rocket which flew past a bemused Mignolet into the top right corner.
That stunned the home crowd and the team but it made them take action with two quick fire corners with one creating a Turner header which just went over the bar. Sunderland finally came level when in the 41st minute Richardson passed to our playmaker,Sessegnon, and after he dribbled brilliantly he set up Connor Whickham for his first PL goal following good movement from the youngster. The goal rejuvenated Villa as they searched for another goal but Safc stood firm. That signalled the end of the half.
HT Sunderland 1-1 Aston Villa
With the game starting like it did, Sunderland did well to come back into it and it was a superb finish from Connor’s weaker foot. Hopefully we can now press on.
In the 2nd half, Villa again started the better withSafc looking laboured. They kept the ball comfortably with Dunne and Collins switching the play or taking the long ball approach with Heskey in midfield.
A corner was awarded to Villa, Heskey and Mignolet collided and although Mignolet punched the ball out he came off worse as it has now been confirmed he suffered a broken nose. This was obviously a painful disappointment for him. As Mignolet was substituted Safc brought on one of their summer signings Keiron Westwood, who excelled at Coventry however he needed assurance as this was his first PL appearance. Safc defence helped him to bed into the squad but most importantly the game in hand, as 10 minutes later Bent and Agbohalor connected with a neat one two and thankfully Westwood saved with his outstretched body. This in my opinion will give Bent nightmares as it was a sitter right near the penalty spot. Villa kept the pressure on as Safc were tiring and that showed when Larsson tracking back slightly fouled Agbonhalor who was dramatic to say the least with his reaction.
Of course to make matters worse Petrov caused chaos with the free kick before Dunne scored at the right end for once. This left me wondering if we could come back in the time available, I shouldn’t have worried as Dunne panicked two minutes later and fouled Sessegnon as he nearly raced clear. The free kick left me baffled as Larsson’s hopeful delivery met Sessegnon’s head even though he was the shortest player in the box.
This was in the 89th minute so everybody dreamed of a win, we huffed and puffed but sadly SAFC had no subs left as Vaughan was taken off in between all this after he got a soft yellow card.
FT Sunderland 2-2 Aston Villa
To sum it all up, both teams wanted to win and it was a brilliant game which is typical of the Premier league this season. A draw was probably the right result and a dramatic finish and hopefully that momentum can now help us be resilient at Old Trafford next week.
Cj
RTG Junior Match Reporter
