Aston Villa put Sunderland to the sword in crunch relegation match

Aston Villa took a huge step towards Premier League safety with a sensational 6-1 thrashing over fellow relegation strugglers Sunderland. A Christian Benteke second half hat-trick secured all three points for the midlands club and in the process dragged Sunderland and Newcastle back into the relegation mire.

An added bonus for Villa, from this emphatic victory, is that they overtaken Newcastle on goal difference and put some daylight between themselves and third from bottom Wigan Athletic. The villains have made up a staggering 11 goal difference in just two games and now may need only three points to secure their safety in the top flight.

Ron Vlaar gave Villa the early lead when he shot home from close range, only for Sunderland to almost instantly equalize through Danny rose.   Andres Weimann then scored to restore Villa’s lead and send them into the dressing room a goal up at half-time.

The stage was now set for the Christian Benteke show, as the 10million summer signing went on a second half rampage that destroyed any hopes Sunderland may have had to salvage something from the game.

 The 22 year old Belgian clinically finished on three occasions to secure a 72minute hat-trick and to more than justify Paul Lambert faith in his new signing.  

 He scored his first as he stopped to head home when Sunderland’s Mignot made a mess of a Gabriel Agbonglahor cross. His second goal was a powerful header that smashed into the back of the net from close range and his last goal was a powerful solo run and shot that went through Mignot’s legs.

Sunderland’s revival under Paolo Di Canio has been impressive but this disjointed performance will give the black cat faithful cause for concern as the season nears an end without safety as yet been secured. To add even more cause for concern Seggeson was shown a red card in the 70^th minute for a foot on Syvla and will be banned for the remainder of the season.

As the game drew to a close, Sunderland’s night of misery was not yet over, as Gabriel Agbonglahor slotted home in the 88^th minute to leave the score line standing at an incredible 6-1 in favor of the home side.

 This a night that belonged to Aston Villa, and in particular Benteke, whose name was chanted long into the night as he almost single handedly steers Villa towards Premiership safety.