IT WAS inevitable former fans' favourite Kevin Phillips would return to his previous hunting ground and poach a goal that would lead to an Aston Villa victory.

It's not the first time a player has returned to haunt his old club and Phillips' first visit to the Stadium of Light since his transfer to Southampton three years ago won't be the last.

And the bitter taste of defeat was made all the more harder to swallow for Black Cats fans given two Newcastle United players past and present, Aaron Hughes and on-loan James Milner, played a prominent part in their downfall.

Phillips was delighted to score - but felt it wasn't necessary to rub salt into the wounds of his former club after he netted.

"It was a muted celebration because there was no need for me to run around rubbing their noses in it," said the 32-year-old. "The game was not in front of our own supporters so I did not have to run around the pitch showing off.

"It wasn't a bitter-sweet goal for me, just a good goal. It gets me back on the goalscoring trail.

"I was overwhelmed (with the reception) but I would be lieing if I thought it would be any different because I have a great relationship with the fans at Sunderland.

"They have always been good to me and I feel for them right now. But they are a big enough club to get back, although time is running out."

Manager Mick McCarthy identified the need to cut out costly defensive mistakes if they are to survive this season.

The Sunderland boss certainly has a point with Alan Stubbs and Justin Hoyte both guilty of not tracking their men back for two of Villa's goals.

But if the Black Cats need to cut out their ineptitude at the back then a natural goalscorer is imperative to shoot them out of the relegation zone.

Stubbs, Anthony Le Tallec and Jonathan Stead were all guilty of missing gilt-edged chances before Villa took the lead, while Christian Bassila had an effort that crashed off the underside of the crossbar.

The fact Sunderland are creating enough chances to win games is encouraging, but it's ultimately futile if they aren't converted.

McCarthy refused to discuss the possibility of buying a new striker in the impending January transfer window; although his hands could be tied after spending a combined £2.9m fee on Stead and Andy Gray during the summer.

Both strikers have fine qualities but they are not natural goalscorers; their record tells you as much.

The Sunderland boss is true to his word and his side certainly went all out all guns blazing in search of that elusive first home win. The clash ebbed and flowed and registered high on the entertainment scale, certainly in the first half.

But with the visitors surviving some good fortune at the back - added to the home side's profligacy in front of goal - they then gave their struggling counterparts an exhibition in the art of clinical finishing in the second period.

Phillips escaped his marker Gary Breen and powered in Hughes' cross from close range to give Villa the lead after 55 minutes. A Gareth Barry tap-in increased the Villains' lead in the 82nd minute and an emphatic Milan Baros finish a minute later, after picking up Luke Moore's clever back-heel, had the fat lady singing.

Dean Whitehead netted a dubious consolation from the penalty spot.

The Sunderland boss, who must feel like he is stuck in the football equivalent of Groundhog Day, was magnanimous after the game and admitted Villa were worthy winners.

He said: "It was a game played by two teams who were a bit fragile and nervous. I don't think either team had any spells where they were on top and I thought it was a fairly even game (in the first half).

"In the second half when the goals come they were considerably better than us and deserved their victory.

"Having conceded, we hit the bar and it bounced on the line and perhaps on an other day (it would have gone in). Then we got ragged and stretched and what can I say?

"We'll be having a look at it and try and work on areas that we have been.

"We have got to be more solid certainly. We have given too many goals away in recent weeks.

"I'm not one who comes in and bemoans my luck and woe is me, but it would have been nice to see that go in and see perhaps their reaction because they've (Villa) been fragile in recent weeks.

"Unfortunately it doesn't and they go one to win it comfortably.

"We knew the importance of the game. It's tough for all of us not just the players but everyone connected with the club.

"I have to say the support was terrific. They stopped with us and they don't deserve to see us beaten 3-1 at home that's for sure."

Despite the defeat the Sunderland boss does not believe his players have lost faith in their belief to win.

He added: "We would like a little slice of good fortune so we can put someone else on the back foot. At the minute that is not happening.

"We had good performances early on in the season but I have to say we started badly in the second half and apart from Ben Alnwick, who was excellent, I don't think there are too many of us who can hold their hands up and say we've done as well as we could."

Result: Sunderland 1, Aston 3.

Read more about Sunderland here.