Shoot-out agony for Bruce as Sunderland exit cup to Villa

IF Steve Bruce ever wanted proof of why he normally refuses to watch penalties, this was it. After Sunderland had earned and wasted a dubious one six minutes from time, the nervous manager opted to endure the personal torture from the touchline for the dramatic shoot-out.

It is safe to assume that he will be ordering his players to practise penalties the next time they are in training.

Having hidden in the tunnel feeling frustrated after Kenwyne Jones’ 84th minute spotkick miss, Bruce chose to witness Andy Reid, Lorik Cana and Jordan Henderson fail to find the net after extra-time at first hand.

While Steed Malbranque’s successful spot-kick looked to have provided a lifeline when Gabriel Agbonlahor missed his, it was Aston Villa who booked their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Sunderland when Ashley Young hit the target.

It is 36 years since Sunderland – without their normal penalty-taker Darren Bent through injury – last won a major piece of silverware and Villa’s stunning secondchoice goalkeeper Brad Guzan ensured the wait goes on.

Neither team had really looked like scoring until Jones’ late penalty miss, with teenage midfielder Jordan Henderson the only player showing an ability to shoot on goal for the most part of the match in the absence of Bent.

When someone else did have a go, Guzan was equal to Kieran Richardson’s effort when he ran clean through on goal in extra-time.

While there is just a point separating the teams in the Premier League, Bruce had spoken of trying to follow the Villa blueprint to establishing themselves as a formidable force in the English game.

Saturday’s defeat at Villa’s city rivals Birmingham, however, offered something of a reality check for the Sunderland players, who felt a push for Europe could be on this season.

The manner of such a defeat left Bruce assessing his options, particularly in the absence of Lee Cattermole, and he used last night’s fourth round tie to try out a new approach.

With Jones playing up front on his own, Daryl Murphy – making his first start under Bruce – and Fraizer Campbell provided the width. It is a formation Bruce tried out in preseason and one that could become the norm away from home.

And after Emile Heskey had flicked Agbonlahor’s delivery inches wide from inside six yards, the system worked, even if there was a lack of attempts on Guzan’s goal.

The nearest Sunderland came to scoring in the opening half was after a clever move down the left. Jones played inside towards Richardson, who allowed the ball to roll towards Henderson.

The teenage midfielder struck a sweet right-foot drive just wide.

It was Henderson’s willingness to charge through the middle that caused the biggest threat to Villa and there were huge claims from the fans for a penalty when he appeared to have been tripped by Richard Dunne.

While the home supporters were furious with referee Phil Dowd’s call for play-on, there were no serious claims from the Sunderland players for a spot-kick, which perhaps told its own story.

Occasionally Henderson gave the ball away. In truth, though, he was the only player on the pitch in the opening half who looked like scoring.

On the stroke of half-time, the 19-year-old witnessed Guzan leap in the air to parry away a stinging 20-yard volley after James Collins had jumped to clear a Lorik Cana centre.

Villa had flattered to deceive but they almost found a way through after the restart.

George McCartney was caught out of position after winning a tackle on halfway, James Milner broke down his side before whipping in a centre that evaded Villa’s front two.

There was a similar incident moments later. This time, after Murphy had shown a dreadful first touch, Villa exploited space down McCartney’s side, but Agbonlahor wasted it. An animated Bruce was clearly annoyed.

Sunderland’s attacking impetus had been knocked out of them, but that did not stop Henderson from trying his luck again. This time, after a lay-off from Jones, he curled just over from 22 yards.

It would be harsh to single out one player who disappointed, but the fans did.

After numerous poor touches and his confidence already shot to pieces, Murphy was replaced by Reid.

Judging by the cheers that greeted his departure, it is safe to assume Sunderland fans don’t particularly want to see him play again.

Ironically, seconds later, Villa should have grabbed the goal that would have spared everyone extra-time.

Instead Craig Gordon rushed from his line to make a vital save to deny Agbonlahor when he looked certain to score.

There was, though, time for an even greater chance in the 90 minutes.

Jones wasted it, when his low penalty to Guzan’s left was held by the American after the referee had deemed that Carlos Cuellar had deliberately stopped Reid’s centre with his arm.

Extra-time followed, but the deadlock remained unbroken and the shoot-out brought only agony for Sunderland.

Match facts

Penalties: Reid (miss, 0-0); Carew (goal, 0-1); Cana (miss, 0-1); Collins (goal, 0-2); Malbranque (goal, 1-2); Agbonlahor (miss, 1-2); Henderson (miss, 1-2); A Young (goal, 1-3)

Bookings: Warnock (15, foul); Petrov (19, dissent); Henderson (72, foul); Ferdinand (82, foul); Collins (84, dissent)

Referee: Phil Dowd (Stoke) 6

Attendance: 27,666

Entertainment: ✰✰✰

SUNDERLAND (4-5-1):

Gordon 7; Da Silva 5, Nosworthy 6, Turner 6, McCartney 4 (Ferdinand 79, 6); Campbell 5 (Malbranque 96), Richardson 5, HENDERSON 8, Cana 7, Murphy 4 (Reid 73, 6); Jones 5. Subs (not used): Fulop (gk), Healy, Meyler, Reed.

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): GUZAN 9; Cuellar 5, Dunne 7, Collins 6, Warnock 5; Milner 6, Reo-Coker 5, Petrov 5 (Sidwell 116), A Young 4; Heskey 4 (Carew 77, 5), Agbonlahor 5. Subs (not used): Friedel (gk), L Young, Delph, Shorey, Beye.

MAN OF THE MATCH

BRAD Guzan – a penalty save and a few others that prevented Sunderland from winning in normal time.