Aston Villa 0

Sunderland 1

Chopra 83

Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 1 March 22 2008

Michael Chopra gave Sunderland their first away win of the season and boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 success at Aston Villa.

John Carew went close for Villa early on when his overhead kick flew inches wide, but the hosts had a lucky escape when Scott Carson appeared to handle outside the area but play was waved on, while Roy O'Donovan sent a header just over.

Shaun Maloney then curled a free-kick just wide as the half drew to a close.

Marlon Harewood poked a great opportunity wide when clean through on goal in the second half, while Darryl Murphy hit the sidenetting on a rare attack for the Black Cats.

Harewood then repeated the trick at the other end for Villa. But with seven minutes left, the visitors made the breakthrough when Chopra raced onto a long ball and lifted the ball over Carson for the winner.