Sunderland 1-2 Aston Villa: Late penalty gives Martin O' Neill's side fifth successive win

Ten-man Aston Villa came from behind to register their fifth successive away league win with a helping hand from referee Mike Dean.

Dean was the villain of the piece on Wear side as Martin O'Neill's side were helped by controversial decisions at the Stadium of the Light.

Spirited Sunder land looked to be heading for a shock victory when Danny Collins headed them ahead after 11 minutes.

But Villa showed their character and belief with an impressive second-half display despite having Ashley Young sent off 18 minutes from time.

That was a justified dismissal according to O'Neill, but two other decisions from Dean left Black Cats fans fuming although boss Ricky Sbragia was more inclined to blame sloppy defending.

Dean allowed a hotly disputed Villa equaliser on the hour that appeared to have been pushed into the net by James Milner's left arm.

The referee further enraged the home fans by gifting Villa skipper Gareth Barry an 80thminute spot kick winner for a foul that appeared to have occurred just outside the box.

Sbragia said: "The referee made his decision on the Milner goal. I might not be happy with it but I have to accept it.

"The second goal might have been offside in the build up and the offence just outside the area, but again the referee gave it.

"The facts are we conceded two bad goals. They were sloppy errors."

O'Neill claimed not to have seen replays of the two goals, but a playback of the Young sending off for a foul on Dean Whitehead left him backing Dean's judgment.

O'Neill said: "It was a two-footed tackle and the sort that injures players.

"We were brilliant in the second half. I thought Milner was fantastic but I shouldn't shout that in these parts as he's played for Newcastle."

With Villa just three points off the Premier League summit, O'Neill is keeping tabs on the sides above him.

"It is really disappointing to hear Manchester United and Chelsea both won with late goals but we have them in out sights," he said.

Collins grabbed his first goal of the season when he nipped in front of the recalled Carlos Cuellar to head home Carlos Edwards' free-kick.

But Milner equalised after 60minutes, appearing to use his armunder challenge from Pascal Chimbonda as he met Young's cross.

After Young's dismissal, Dean wrongly adjudged that substitute Paul McShane's high challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor took place inside the box.

Barry wasn't arguing and calmly slotted the ball past Marton Fulop.

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