A right-footed blast from 23 yards out has given Sunderland a 1-0 lead at Villa Park, with Phil Bardsley the unlikely scorer. The Black Cat defender ran onto a ball played back from the edge of the area, thundering his shot into the left part of Brad Friedel's net. With ten minutes left before stoppage time, Sunderland looks set to take three from Aston Villa.
Aston Villa Vs. Sunderland: Phil Bardsley Puts Black Cats Up On 10-Man Villa
Steve Bruce's side found themselves 11-on-10 after Villa striker Emile Heskey excused himself from the match after pushing Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson in the face. After the two players went face-to-face, the veteran forward brought his wants into the prospects face, eliciting an obligatory dismissal from Kevin Friend.
Twelve minutes later Bardsley had Sunderland up, but the numeric advantage was soon evened out by Boudewijn Zenden picking up a second yellow card. Six minutes after the goal, a midfield challenge saw Zenden carded, leaving the field after shaken hands with the man he took down.
Now in second half stoppage time, Sunderland maintains a 1-0 lead.
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