FORMER Aston Villa loan star Phil Bardsley dropped them into the bottom three of the Barclays Premier League for the first time in seven years as Sunderland secured a 1-0 win at Villa Park.
Gerard Houllier's side slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference as a result of Wolves' shock victory over champions Chelsea at Molineux.
Villa had striker Emile Heskey sent off for violent conduct before Bardsley's decider and then Black Cats substitute Boudewijn Zenden was given his marching orders for two bookable offences.
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