Sunderland 1-2 VILLA: Young sours away win

By: Chris | January 18th, 2009

In a perverse way, playing badly and winning is almost as satisfying as expecting to win and doing so comfortably. But Aston Villa’s luck is beginning to take the piss a little…it’s fantastic!

Yesterday, we recorded our fifth straight away win. We’re unbeaten in ten outings. We’re fourth in the league. But (and I admit I haven’t seen the full game from yesterday) to my mind we’ve played well only once since Arsenal away: Arsenal at home.

Still, who cares right?

Villa fell behind early against Sunderland for the second time this season, Danny Collins bagging his first Premier League goal by heading a Carlos Edwards free kick past a stranded Brad Friedel. At half time, it looked like our road luck was finally beginning to run out. Fortunately, the fates were having not a bit of it.

Villa equalised in controversial fashion. Gabriel Agbonlahor played a stunning pass in front of Ashley Young on the right and the winger sent in a teasing low ball as James Milner bombed in on goal. Milner fell, knocking the ball in with some combination of head, chest and arm. Sunderland aren’t happy about it, but in all honesty it looked the right decision to allow the goal. Besides, Milner was tripped anyway. Disallowing the goal would’ve meant a penalty and red card.

The next big decision to come Mike Dean’s way was a pretty easy one and he got it spot on. With the ball loose in the midfield, Ashley Young inexplicably opted for a two-footed over-the-ball lunge. It was a pretty nasty challenge, and Young deserved his red card and the three-match ban that accompanies it.

It was a stupid, stupid tackle, but it didn’t cost us the game as I thought it would. In fact, we went on to win. Paul McShane had no option but to haul Agbonlahor down on the edge of the penalty area. Some referees give them inside, some outside. It’s tough on Sunderland but the penalty was given. Gareth Barry – or should I call him the reborn Gareth Barry? – dumped in the penalty and celebrated like a nutter.

Three more points, but a worrying few weeks ahead without Ash. Shame Hull couldn’t do us a favour later on in the day, but they gave it a good go. One more week down, another week in which we equalled or bettered Arsenal. That’s all we need to do.