Match Stats

Sunderland actually had more possession in the 2nd half after having the ball for only 44% of the first period. Villa also led the first half accurate passing 151 to Sunderland’s 103. So this shows that Villa reverted to a more direct, counter attacking style during the second half and it paid dividends with two goals.

Attack Chart

Something that I can’t remember the last time I saw… Villa attacked more down the right than they did down the left!! Milner and Young did swap wings a couple of times, but Milner did spend most of his time out right. It’s an interesting development that Milner put in arguably his best performance in Claret & Blue at the same time that the team started distributing the ball down his side of the pitch a bit more. I think this is evidence that he’s settled into the side now.

Average Position Map

Gabby played pretty deep with Ash occupying a more advanced position on average. It’s noticeable that Milner & Young were much narrower than is usually the case, but swapping wings will influence this data somewhat.

Controversies

Just to correct my earlier post, it was Petrov that was suspected of handball in the box in the first few minutes. I’m not convinced and we’ve all seen those given as often as not. Same goes for Luke Young at the death of the game. To get both decisions in our favour is unusual as the ref will often make an incorrect decision later on to correct a nagging doubt in his mind from earlier in the game.

Did James Milner handle the ball in for the equaliser?? No, it came off his shoulder. If anything, the only reason he fell into that position is that he was fouled.

Did Ashley deserve the red card?? Yes. No question that it was a dangerous tackle. Not sure there was any malice intended, he’s not that type of character and anyone could see how distraught he was afterward. He will miss the next 3 games though and that presents an opportunity for the manager to alter the team sheet a little. I suspect Milner will be asked to fill in, but then who will play out right??

Was Gabby inside or outside of the box for the penalty?? It looks to me that he received the boot to the face just outside of the box. Read that back… he received the boot to the face just outside the box. Surely that player should have also been sent off?? Sunderland are also arguing that Gabby was offside when he set off and that might be the case, but I haven’t seen conclusive evidence of that.

So on balance, could this be chalked up as another slightly fortuitous win?? Yes, I think we can consider ourselves a little lucky to come away with 3 points, but it wasn’t from lack of effort. When the players play positively they’ll get the rub of the green more often. Sunderland, despite having the better of the second half statistically, were pretty toothless going forward and Villa took advantage.