*Sunderland earned only their second away point of the season, holding Aston Villa to a goalless draw at Villa Park.*

Villa went close when striker Christian Benteke steered a shot high when well placed, before Sunderland were denied a penalty for a Ciaran Clark handball.

The visitors had a glorious chance to take the lead but Emanuele Giaccherini sent a shot from four yards over.

Sunderland again gave Villa a scare when Fabio Borini headed Giaccherini’s cross against the bar.

The Black Cats had lost their last five top-flight games on their travels but were well-organised and determined as they provided manager Gus Poyet with his first away point since he became their manager on 8 October.

The Wearside club moved off the bottom at Crystal Palace’s expense but are five points from safety.

Villa were being watched by their most famous fan in Prince William, but the Midlands side could not find a way past a Sunderland defence expertly marshalled by John O’Shea and Wes Brown.

The hosts have a better record away than at home in the Premier League but began with an intent which suggested otherwise.

Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor headed just wide from Fabian Delph’s cross as Villa continued in the same attacking vein which helped them come back from 2-0 down to

There was a high tempo and open feel to the match early on, although both sets of players lacked composure, epitomised when Benteke missed a good chance.

The Belgian had the goal in his sights when Ashley Westwood laid off a Karim El Ahmadi pull-back, but Benteke steered his side-footed effort just over. He has now gone seven games with a goal for his club.

Sunderland became more of a threat as the game progressed and had a strong shout for a penalty when Sebastian Larsson’s free-kick was headed across the area by O’Shea and the ball appeared to strike the arm of Villa defender Clark.

The Black Cats were aggrieved at referee Neil Swarbrick’s decision but the visitors only had themselves to blame when they failed to take the lead minutes later.

A Ki Sung-Yueng cross was knocked back across goal to Giaccherini, who side-footed over from point-blank range.

The Italian midfielder almost made amends for his miss when he crossed for Borini, whose glanced header came back off the Villa bar.