Half-Time Report: Gabriel Agbonlahor puts Aston Villa ahead

Aston Villa are leading relegation strugglers Sunderland 1-0 at half time in the Premier League this afternoon, thanks to a neat finish from Gabriel Agbonlahor.

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Emanuele Giaccherini created the game's first chance as he let fly with a right-footed shot from outside the box, but his effort flew wide of the post.

Sunderland were almost in again as they dominated the opening stages, this time as Ji Dong-Won was found by Giaccherini, though the striker's shot edged just wide from a difficult angle.

However, despite their lack of possession, Villa took the lead through Agbonlahor in the 15th minute when he found himself with space inside the box, allowing the striker to hammer the ball down the centre of goal with his left foot.

Sunderland's fans thought they had equalised in the 26th minute as Phillip Bardsley played in Ki Sung-Yueng, but his long-range effort was kept out of the top corner by a fine save from the diving Brad Guzan.