REPORT: U21s leave it late to snatch all three points

Sunderland Under-21s came from 2-0 down to pick up all three points against Aston Villa.
 
Two goals from Harry Gardiner and a late winner from Tom Lavery sealed the three points and confirmed back-to-back wins.
 
Aston Villa had the first opportunity of the game just six minutes in as Teddy Rowe picked up the ball on the edge of the area and drove an effort wide of the mark.
 
Just moments later, Adam Richardson made a fine close-range save to deny Fin Munroe putting the hosts ahead. 
 
Graeme Murty's side looked for an opening as Watson picked the ball, playing through Gardiner put his effort struck the side-netting. 
 
The Villians had their goal just two minutes later. The corner ball came in and Rico Richards grabbed the opener.
 
The Lads looked for an instant response as Watson again drove inside the area but his effort was straight into the hands of goalkeeper James Wright. 
 
The hosts had a second with 20 minutes on the clock. Another corner ball and Feeney glided his header past Richardson into the bottom corner. 
 
Despite Villa's dominance, the Black Cats started to grow into the game and all the hard work was rewarded with a goal just before the break. Bennette held the ball up well before playing his through Lavery, his ball across was fired home for Gardiner to half the deficit just before half-time. 
 
Sunderland's dominance at the start of the second half paid off with the equaliser 30 minutes before the end. A mix-up in the area and Gardiner picked up the pieces to calmly slot the ball past Wright for his second and the Lads's second.
 
15 minutes before the end, the hosts were reduced to ten men. Frankie Ealing who had just entered the field was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge on Jones.
 
One minute left on the clock and that magic moment came! Watson with the ball on the left-side got himself to the byline before pulling the ball across for Lavery who smashed the ball into the roof of the net for the winner!
 
Graeme Murty's side will next face Peterborough in Premier League Cup action.
 
Sunderland AFC: Richardson, Lavery, Fieldson, Bell, Bainbridge, Burke (Chiabi 63), Jones (Thompson 80), Watson, Bennette (Robertson 72), Spellman, Gardiner.
 
Substitutes: Metcalfe, Robertson, Whittaker, Chiabi, Thompson.
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