Soccer: Villa's James satisfied with a point

Aston Villa's David James reflected on another "eventful" game between the posts after Sunderland salvaged a late draw at the Stadium of Light.

Julian Joachim had given John Gregory's men a second-half lead but James failed to hold a Stefan Schwarz free-kick late on, allowing Gavin McCann to level in Peter Reid's 250th game in charge.

The England goalkeeper made amends at the death however with a point-blank save from Danny Dichio.

James said: "There were a few interesting things weren't there? But that's football."

Sven-Goran Eriksson was in the stands but the giant keeper hoped he would forget some of his less steady moments in the first half.

"If he came about 20 minutes into the game I don't mind.

"It was an eventful game, we got the point which we need.

"We'd obviously liked to have the three but our defending towards the end was far from adequate and we gave Sunderland too many chances to get back at us - and they took one," he added on Sky Sports.

James was very nearly at fault in injury time when the referee ruled that the Villa keeper had been fouled after a corner that had led to Dichio volleying what he thought was the winner.

But James argued: "I was obstructed but Don (Hutchison) reckoned it was one of our players - I don't know.

"I didn't slip, I was going for the ball and had some contact with someone, but I don't know who it was. "

Sunderland's Hutchison disagreed however: "I thought he (James) hit his own man. I thought (Ian) Taylor took a whack."

He added: "We had chances in the first half but it was a bruising encounter and it was probably the right result in the end.

"We've had a great season so far but when we don't win the fans get a bit upset which is fair enough really but at least we got a point."