Villa fall into relegation

Birmingham - Aston Villa fell into the relegation zone in the English Premier League for the first time since 2004 then lost to visiting Sunderland 1-0 on Wednesday.

Wolverhampton's stunning 1-0 over Chelsea dropped Villa among the bottom three in the standings on goal difference.

Villa's miserable night at home began with Emile Heskey's red card for shoving Jordan Henderson in the face in the 69th minute, followed by Phil Bardsley scoring 11 minutes later after substitute Boudewijn Zenden's free kick was blocked.

Zenden was sent off late for a second yellow card, but Sunderland earned only its second road of the season.