Sunderland were beaten by Aston Villa on Tuesday evening as Lewis Grabban returned to haunt the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light.
After a confident opening, the Black Cats fell behind as the one-time Wearsider finished at the back post, and the Villans doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time as James Chester headed home.
Ty Browning was forced off before the interval and John O’Shea, who required treatment early on, was replaced at the break, with Conor Hourihane’s deflected strike making it 3-0 after the hour mark.
ONE LOVE
Chris Coleman made one change ahead of the game as Donald Love came into the starting XI to replace the absent Adam Matthews. Jason Steele retained his place following an impressive showing against Millwall at The Den, as Kazenga LuaLua returned to the matchday squad and featured on the bench. Steve Bruce, meanwhile, rewarded former Black Cat Grabban with a start after the striker found the net in each of his last two appearances, as Ahmed Elmohamady also lined up at the SoL.
CONFIDENT OPENING
The promotion-chasers started on the front and it was Grabban who led the charge, with the 29-year-old picking up some good positions and enjoying time on the ball during the opening exchanges. The Lads coped with everything thrown at them early on and grew into the game, though, as Lee Cattermole and Aiden McGeady combined before Love fizzed a tempting ball across the face of goal. But they were almost caught out on 15 minutes, as Robert Snodgrass’ clipped through ball fed Scott Hogan who was unable supply the finishing touch.
RED AND WHITE ROAR
Sunderland’s ascendancy continued as Villa struggled to find their rhythm, with Coleman’s side knocking the ball around with confidence and intent. And they were given a further lift by the red and white army, as the passionate home support sensed the opportunity to capitalise. An injury blow followed, though, as Browning was forced off and Billy Jones, who was ready to replace he now-recovered O’Shea ten minutes earlier, entered the fray.
WHO ELSE
Hogan’s glancing header sent the away end in raptures before the half-hour mark, but the Villans’ celebrations were cut short when they realised it caressed the roof of the net. And seconds later the Black Cats spurned a glorious chance, as Ashley Fletcher burst through on goal only for a heavy touch to end the attack. The Lads were made to pay. After winning possession in the final third, hesitant defending allowed Albert Adomah’s to reach Grabban for a simple finish at the back post. And before the break it was 2-0, as Chester lost his man and crashed a simple header into the net.
STRIKE THREE
Coleman tweaked his system ahead of the restart as O’Shea, who required treatment early on, was replaced and Joel Asoro partnered Fletcher up top. Villa were forced into their first change shortly before the hour mark as Glenn Whelan limped down the tunnel, with Josh Maja’s arrival signalling a last roll of the dice with 60 minutes played. But any hopes of a dramatic comeback were foiled on 66 minutes, as Hourihane’s effort deflected off Bryan Oviedo and beyond Steele to make it 3-0. Asoro almost pulled one back as solo run saw him tear through opposition territory, but he was unable to find a way past Sam Johnstone as Villa marched to victory.
Attendance: 26, 081
Sunderland: Steele, O’Shea (Asoro 45), Kone, Browning (Jones 30), Love, Oviedo, Cattermole, Ejaria, McGeady, McManaman, Fletcher (Maja 63).
Subs: Camp, Williams, LuaLua, Honeyman.
Aston Villa: Johnstone, Taylor, Chester, Whelan (Jedinak 60), Snodgrass, Hogan (Grealish 67), Hourihane, Terry, Elmohamady, Adomah, Grabban (Bjarnason 77).
Subs not used: Bunn, Lansury, Onomah, Davis