Villa go third

England World Cup hopefuls Emile Heskey and James Milner teamed up to maintain Aston Villa's Barclays Premier League charge with a 2-0 win at Sunderland.

Heskey put the visitors ahead with 24 minutes gone after running on to the former Newcastle midfielder's pass, and Milner wrapped up the win with a stunning 61st-minute strike.

Stewart Downing and Ashley Young both hit the woodwork, although Andy Reid wasted a great chance to level for the Black Cats, who had skipper Lorik Cana sent off for a second bookable offence.

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