Sometimes when you’re near the bottom of the table you need all the luck you can get, and Sunderland were handed a hefty wedge of it against Aston Villa this afternoon.
With the hosts up against the wall, Villa took all the early chances but couldn’t put them away.
But midway through the half full-back Patrick van Aanholt made his way forward and noticed that he wasn’t being closed down by anyone on the opposing side and his low drive was deflected into the net by Villa defender Micah Richards.
Both sides have failed to take chances, but Sunderland have a lead to hold onto at half time.
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