Chopra strike stuns Villa

The £5million summer capture from Cardiff came off the bench and struck the winner that secured a 1-0 win with seven minutes remaining.

His fourth goal of the campaign silenced the Villa fans who had witnessed another below-par display from Martin O'Neill's side.

Andy Reid and Kieran Richardson caused problems for Villa and it was the latter's pass that allowed Chopra to take advantage of hesitancy by Zat Knight and Scott Carson.

Villa did most of the early pressing and John Carew was only inches wide with an overhead kick after controlling a ball into his feet from Craig Gardner.

Carson was lucky not to be penalised when he handled outside the box as he failed to hold onto a Danny Collins cross.

Craig Gordon recovered to block a shot on the turn from John Carew from Ashley Young's corner. Sunderland appealed for a penalty but referee Howard Webb waved aside claims that Nigel Reo-Coker had handled in the box from Reid's cross.

Substitute Marlon Harewood almost made an instant impact when he shrugged off the challenge of Nyron Nosworthy and flicked the ball wide of the far post.

Gabriel Agbonlahor shrugged off his marker to send a dangerous low centre across the Sunderland six-yard box but no-one was able to apply the finishing touch.

But with seven minutes left Chopra sped past Knight and flicked Richardson's long ball past Carson into the net.