Reid relief as Bellion takes his chance

Sunderland 1 Aston Villa

Sunderland capped a valiant display full of the character demanded of them with the only goal in a rousing game which scares the dogs from the door of their beleaguered manager Peter Reid – for the time being, at least.

They had been baying for Reid's blood all week – one local poll reported 80.5 per cent of supporters wanted his seven-and-a-half year reign to end – and the chairman, Bob Murray, sent him away for three days to "clear his head".

He returned and cleared his team-sheet, making room for 19-year-old David Bellion to make his full Premiership debut and the popular Julio Arca to begin for the first time this season.

The Frenchman and the Argentine combined quite beautifully to score the third goal of Sunderland's troubled season in the 69th minute. Arca lofted a 40-yard pass perfectly into the path of the pacey Bellion, who easily outstripped Ronny Johnsen and coolly slid the ball past Peter Enckelman.

The scorer was overwhelmed by celebrating team-mates; the stadium was engulfed in a roar of joy. But 20 minutes were left. Villa, as they had in the previous 70, had the better chances. Jody Craddock, as he had since the first minute, had to be heroic at the back on his return to the team following the death of his baby son. Even Kevin Kilbane, playing for the first time at home this term after flicking two fingers at supporters during Sunderland's turbulent pre-season, was applauded as his tackles flew in.

"My players responded very well," said Reid. "We played some good stuff. I'm pleased for Bellion, Kilbane and the boy Craddock – after what he's been through, I can't speak highly enough of him. And the supporters: it is easy to support when things are going well and I thought they were outstanding."

The Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor said: "Peter will be pleased but I am very disappointed. We had our chances and, although the goal was well struck, it was an awful one for us to give away with a long ball over the top."

Villa are the only team in the country without a win or a goal away from home this season. The latter statistic at least should have been mended early on. Sunderland's woes in their humiliation at Newcastle the previous weekend had begun when they conceded within 90 seconds. They might have done the same yesterday. Lee Hendrie was unmarked at the back post but fired over, Thomas Sorensen's fingertips helping the ball on its way. The Dane then flapped wildly at the following corner and Olof Mellberg fizzed a volley at the empty net, only for Craddock to block bravely.

After this nervy start, though, Sunderland did not look like a side under pressure. Matthew Piper was soon leading Jlloyd Samuel a dance down the right, Arca was impudently buzzing down the left and Bellion, who had scored in three reserve games running, was flashing through the middle.

The only worry was that Villa still had the clearest chances, as Hendrie drove them forward and Vassell flitted menacingly about. On any other day, Dion Dublin would have scored his 100th Premiership goal – and more besides. But with 20 minutes left, Bellion struck. "The finish was fantastic. He was playing amateur football 18 months ago but when I was on my 'holidays' this week I watched the reserves and he scored, so I stuck him in," said Reid.

Next week Sunderland are at Arsenal. "They frightened me to death today," said Reid. "You come down to reality very quickly." He knows the pack may yet be back.

Sunderland 1 Aston Villa 0 Bellion 70

Half-time: 0-0 Attendance: 40,492