Bruce: Wickham can only get better

Steve Bruce has praised Connor Wickham after the teenager’s first English Premier League goal helped Sunderland draw 2-2 with Aston Villa.

The Wearside club twice came from behind to share the points with Alex McLeish’s side, with Stephane Sessegnon grabbing a equaliser in the 89th minute to send the Stadium of Light into raptures.

Bruce was delighted with Wickham’s first top-flight goal, with the English 18-year-old moving from Ipswich Town for eight million pounds in the off-season.

“Wickham’s is a great strike with his left-foot, it’s his wrong foot. It will do him the world of good,” Bruce said.

“There’s not many people that score goals in the Premier League at 18 years old. I think you can all see his potential – he can only get better. He was playing against two really good centre-backs today in Collins and Dunne. For me he did very well, so that can only be pleasing.”

Former Sunderland striker Darren Bent made his first return to Wearside since his controversial 24 million-pound move to Villa in January and endured a tough reception from the Black Cats supporters.

The England international could have handed his side the win but missed a glorious chance from six yards as his effort was well saved by substitute goalkeeper Kieren Westwood.

The Irish shot-stopper replaced the injured Simon Mignolet in the second half and Bruce was delighted with his performance, especially given it was his first game since August.

“Thankfully for Westy (Keiron Westwood), I must say well done to him,” he said.

But while Bruce was delighted his side claimed a point, Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish revealed his disappointment in failing to claim a third win of the season.

“It’s frustrating, especially after taking the lead twice in the game. I thought it was a pretty controlled performance from us. I thought we played well,” he said.

“Sunderland were obviously going to have their moments on their home ground. We passed the ball and we looked dangerous but to lose a goal so late was disappointing.”

On Bent’s less-than warm welcome back to the Stadium of Light, McLeish said: “It was obviously tough for him. But that’s what the game is all about, the banter. Darren was big enough to take it on the chin and showed the Sunderland fans he can still play a bit.”