Despite admitting it was a late foul that could have left his player with a broken leg, Gus Poyet offered a defence, of sorts, for Fabian Delph, after the midfielder received Aston Villa’s third straight red in four games. The Sunderland manager believes Delph’s reputation for tough tackling precedes him and may have contributed to his early exit for a mistimed challenge on Jordi Gomez. Poyet was Dennis Wise’s assistant at Leeds when Delph was a teenager unafraid to make his presence felt on the training pitches. At Villa Park, his attempt to win possession three minutes after the break went wrong and instead he left his studs on Gomez’s ankle. Referee Martin Atkinson showed no hesitation in producing the red card.
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10-men Aston Villa held out to earn a goalless draw with Sunderland in their Premier League clash at Villa Park
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Sunderland's Liam Bridcutt was forced off with through injury after a collision with Christian Benteke on 19minutes
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England midfielder Fabian Delph was dismissed for a rash challenge on Jordi Gomez early in the second half
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Paul Lambert's side were reduced to 10-men for the third time in four matches over the festive period
Play is delayed while medical staff take care of injured @placeholder midfielder Jordi Gomez