Premier League: Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 1

Sunderland grabbed a late 1-0 win at Aston Villa thanks to defender Phil Bardsley, in a tepid match that neither side could dominate.

In the end it was ten men apiece with Sunderland substitute Bolo Zenden and Aston Villa’s Emile Heskey receiving red cards in a hot tempered second half.

It was clear both sides were showing the effects of a busy Christmas period as they laboured throughout.

The best chance of the first half fell to Heskey five minutes from the break but it ended in a shocking miss.

Stewart Downing did well to rob Bolo Zenden on the by-line before pulling the ball back for Heskey to shoot from four yards, but the striker somehow managed to hit the crossbar.

Steed Malbranque had Sunderland’s first decent effort five minutes after the break. Darren Bent did well to nod the ball into the Frenchman’s path, but he could only volley over from six yards.

Then Bent himself had a golden chance to put Sunderland ahead after getting the better of Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel, but his goal bound shot was cleared off the line by James Collins.

The game boiled over in the 68th minute with the dismissal of Heskey.

Nigel Reo-Coker challenged Asamoah Gyan with a perfect tackle, but the Sunderland man stayed down and the Sunderland contingent screamed for Villa to put the ball out of play.

Villa continued to play but when Heskey was fouled a melee ensued. Heskey appeared to head-butt Jordan Henderson and after a consultation with his assistants referee Pete Walton showed the striker the red card.

Sunderland took advantage with a superb strike from Bardsley with 10 minutes to go.

Zenden’s free kick was charged down but fell to the full back who struck with venom from 30 yards out. It flew into the bottom corner, with Friedel a mere spectator.

Zenden was then sent off after receiving his second caution with five minutes to go, and Sunderland held on despite some late pressure from the hosts.