Dozy defenders deepen Roy’s gloom

ROY KEANE remains gloomier than a month of wet Sundays. The Sunderland manager had caused ripples of anxiety to spread through Wearside last week when lamenting his team’s winning, if unconvincing, performance in the Carling Cup against Northampton and this frustrating defeat drew another barrage of moans.

There might be no disgrace in losing to Aston Villa, quickly establishing themselves as the most credible challengers to the big four, but Keane was furious at how his team capitulated after taking an early lead through Djibril Cisse.

In particular, he bemoaned their habit of giving away costly free-kicks, a trait punished here by Ashley Young, who swept into the corner from 25 yards after he had been brought down by Liam Miller.