Unlike last week against Chelsea, today at the Stadium of Light, Aston Villa have been a mess in the back. They simply can’t cope with the continuous pressure by Sunderland, and are failing to neutralize the Black Cats in the midfield. Nigel Reo-Coker has been getting forward at the expense of his defensive duties, and Stiliyan Petrov has been anonymous—until now.
Sunderland 1-0 Aston Villa: Richard Dunne Scores For Sunderland (Oops)
Steed Malbranque took the ball from the midfield down the right side, where Stephen Warnock was likely flat on his back nursing another injury, allowing Petrov the opportunity to defend. Petrov completely failed at the tackle and Malbranque kept possession, standing up and firing in a cross. The cross was met by, of all people, Richard Dunne, who sent the ball past James Collins and into his own net.
This is Dunne’s eighth own goal of his career, setting the record in the Premier League. That’s not really a record Aston Villa would like to hold.
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