Premier League: Sunderland 1-0 vs. Aston Villa First Half Report - Richard Dunne Scores an Own-Goal
It was considered one of the more crucial encounters in this week of the English Premier League. Sunderland is unbeaten at home in this season. Last time they lost match at home was back in May against Manchester United. Having
such impressive record at home, an own goal from the Villains defender Richard Dunne gave Steve Bruce’s team an advantage before the half time.
The manager of the home side, Steve Bruce, was playing a 4-4-1-1 formation which is considered a defensive formation. The man between the posts for Sunderland was Simon Mignolet. The two centre halves featuring in this match for
the home side were Michael Turner and Titus Bramble. Nedum Onuoha was playing on the right flank of the defence, and Phillip Bardsley was responsible for the left side of defence. The defenders efficiently did their job and kept a clean sheet in the first
half. Along with that, they efficiently supported their midfield by going forward at times.
While there were four players featuring in the midfield for Sunderland at the Stadium of Lights, the holding midfielder responsibility was given to Lee Cattermole. Accompanying him in the heart of midfield was Jordan Henderson.
Ahmed Elmohamady was playing as a right winger. Steed Malbranque was featuring on the left side of the pitch. The combination of these four players in the midfield was quite remarkable. They had all the qualities which were essential for a perfect midfield.
They were speedy, defensively strong, and were dangerously attacking. It was the best possible midfield Steve Bruce could play.
Now, most importantly, the attacking line-up of Sunderland consisted of one influential striker and one shadow striker. Danny Welbeck was playing as a shadow striker. Welbeck, who is on loan from Manchester United, is blessed with
pace and was creating problems for the opposition every now and then. Featuring as a striker for the home team was the one and only Darren Bent. The English striker is considered as the main asset of Sunderland.
As Sunderland played their strongest possible team, the visitors also played their best players in order to fetch three complete points.
Quite surprisingly, Gerard Houllier was also playing a 4-4-1-1 formation. The goalkeeper of the visiting side was Brad Friedel. Helping him in front of the goals were James Collins and Richard Dunne, who were playing as centre
backs for Aston Villa. The duo was considered to be one of the best defensive partnerships for Villa, but both failed to impress in the first half. Richard Dunne scored the only goal in the first half, but unfortunately he scored an own goal. Along with that,
the right side of the defence was under Habib Beye and the responsibility of the left flank was handed over to Stephen Warnock.
Nigel Reo-Coker was playing as holding midfielder for Aston Villa. Stiliyan Petrov featured on the right side of midfield and the left side midfield duties were given to Ashley Young. Stewart Downing was playing as an attacking
midfielder. Aston Villa midfield was quite strong as compared to their counterparts Sunderland. But so far, they had failed to provide a golden ball to their attackers. Nigel was quite impressive defensively, but his poor passing marred his overall performance
of the first half.
On the front, Stephen Ireland played as a shadow striker to Emile Heskey. Emile Heskey is the only player in the Aston Villa playing squad that can turn things in favour of his team, yet he was unable to do so.
The first half ended in the favour of home team, thanks to the own goal.
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