Meyler injured as Bardsley dumps Villa into bottom three

ASTON VILLA dropped into the bottom three of the Barclays Premier League for the first time in seven years as their former loan signing Phil Bardsley earned Sunderland victory at Villa Park.

Gerard Houllier’s side slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference as a result of Wolves’ shock victory over champions Chelsea at Molineux.

Villa had striker Emile Heskey sent-off for violent conduct before Bardsley’s decider and then Black Cats substitute Boudewijn Zenden was given his marching orders for two bookable offences.

A small section of Villa fans chanted “you are going to get sacked in the morning,” towards Houllier after Bardsley had broken the deadlock.

But Sunderland’s second away win of the campaign keeps them on course for a European spot. Their win was however, overshadowed by the injury to promising young Irish player David Meyler who pulled up suddenly in the 38th minute, slumped to the ground and was immediately stretchered off.

The first chance fell to Sunderland midfielder Steed Malbranque after Carlos Cuellar failed to make contact with a deep cross from Bardsley.

But Malbranque failed to test Brad Friedel with his header which drifted a couple of yards wide.

Villa started to exert some pressure and Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon did well to finger-tip away a Stewart Downing free-kick under pressure.

A fine pass from Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov allowed Nigel Reo-Coker a run at goal but he was halted by Malbranque’s challenge.

Ciarán Clark’s mistimed pass almost proved costly as it was seized upon by David Meyler but Darren Bent was unable to make the most of his pass.

Heskey, who played under Bruce at Birmingham and Wigan, was guilty of a glaring miss five minutes before half-time.

Downing did well to get to the by-line and shake of Zenden’s challenge before sending a low ball across the box.

Heskey seemed certain to score but, from three yards out, he shot against the crossbar.

There was a quiet start to the second period but Malbranque could have broken the deadlock after 50 minutes.

Collins’ clearing header lacked conviction and was nodded back down by Bent to Malbranque who volleyed over from eight yards out.

Collins came to the rescue in atoning for his own error three minutes later when he blocked a Darren Bent effort on the line.

Sunderland were now the more threatening and Friedel got his body behind Welbeck’s stinging low drive.

Zenden was yellow carded for bringing down the powerful Heskey but Villa were reduced to 10 men after 68 minutes when Heskey was sent off for shoving Henderson in the face.

With 10 minutes left Bardsley broke the deadlock with a low 25-yard drive after Zenden’s free-kick had been blocked.

Zenden was also sent off for a second bookable offence when he fouled Stiliyan Petrov two minutes later.

ASTON VILLA: Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Clark, Ashley Young, Reo-Coker (Bannan 88), Petrov (Albrighton 88), Downing, Agbonlahor, Heskey.

SUNDERLAND: Gordon, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Bramble, Richardson, Elmohamady, Meyler (Zenden 39), Henderson, Malbranque (Gyan 55), Welbeck (Riveros 83), Bent.

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).