Own goal leaves Villa Dunne-for

Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne set an unwanted Premier League record here Saturday after scoring an own goal as Sunderland held on for a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.

Dunne’s 25th minute howler was the eighth own goal of his Premier League career, leaving him with the dubious distinction of being top of the own-goalscoring charts.

Aston Villa had started brightly and had appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Mark Halsey when Nigel Reo-Coker was bundled over in the box.

Stewart Downing had also thumped a shot off the woodwork after only three minutes as Villa went looking for what would have been a fourth successive victory at the Stadium of Light.

But the deadlock was broken on 25 minutes when Villa centre-half Richard Dunne needlessly turned the ball into his own net as he tried to clear a cross from Steed Malbranque.

Villa launched a late onslaught but poor finishing allowed the Black Cats to survive.

The chief culprit was Emile Heskey, who twice went close in quick succession.

His first chance was snuffed out when Titus Bramble was able to dispossess him but moments later he was guilty of a glaring miss, mis-kicking after being picked out by Downing’s cross.

Moments later Villa substitute Steve Sidwell saw his header cleared off the line by Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet on 63 minutes.

Mignolet was pressed into action again in the final quarter, saving from Marc Albrighton before Dunne went close late on.