Sunderland's Patrick Van Aanholt celebrates his goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
The Associated Press
SUNDERLAND, England (AP) - Sunderland ended a five-match losing streak in the English Premier League in beating last-place Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday.
The Black Cats, only one place above Villa, went ahead at the Stadium of Light through Patrick van Aanholt's deflected shot in the first half, before Carles Gil equalized with a volley an hour in.
Jermain Defoe scored for the hosts with 18 minutes remaining after controlling Adam Johnson's pass and thumping the ball past Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan at his near post.
Defoe struck again in injury time to move Sam Allardyce's team seven points clear of Villa.
With eight points from 20 matches, and 11 points from safety, Villa has not won in the league since its first game of the season and appears headed for early relegation.
Sunderland's Jermain Defoe, left, celebrates his goal with his teammates during the English Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
The Associated Press
Aston Villa's manager Remi Garde waits for the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
The Associated Press
Sunderland's manager Sam Allardyce awaits the start of the English Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
The Associated Press
Aston Villa's Carles Gil celebrates his goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
The Associated Press
Sunderland's Lee Cattermole, right, vies for the ball with Aston Villa's Leandro Bacuna, left, during the English Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
The Associated Press