Jermain Defoe netted twice as Sunderland beat relegation rival Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.
Jermain Defoe scored twice as a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa breathed new life into Sunderland's fight to avoid relegation, and pushed Remi Garde's side closer to the Premier League trapdoor.
Villa was the better side for long periods at the Stadium of Light, frustrating the home team and fans alike.
But Garde's side lacked the cutting edge provided by former England striker Defoe, who scored in the 72nd minute and then again in stoppage time as Sunderland ended a run of five successive defeats.