Clark and Bannan feature in BBC 'Team of the Week'
Ciaran Clark and Barry Bannan on form.
Paul Brown
Villa star duo Ciaran Clark and Barry Bannan received the plaudits after their Sunderland performances.
Both players made it into the BBC 'Team of the Week', published on the BBC Sport website.
The side, chosen by pundit Garth Crooks, included the pair who excelled in the 1-0 win at the Stadium of the Light.
Crooks said: "I had to look twice to work out exactly which player made a crucial tackle on Sunderland's Stephane Sessegnon inside the 18-yard box during the first half of Villa's match against Sunderland.
"It was Ciaran Clark and, in doing so, he saved what would have been a certain goal.
"Villa went on to keep a clean sheet and produced their best performance of the season."
On Bannan, he added: "Robbie Savage must be quaking in his boots!
"He has staked his reputation on Villa going down, but looking at them against Sunderland on Saturday even he must recognise that manager Paul Lambert has got his boys and, in particular Barry Bannan, playing with spirit and commitment.
"Even Alan Hansen backtracked from his previous week's onslaught.
"There might be a few more backtracking about Villa before the season is out."
Team of the Week: Ruddy, Whittaker, Cahill, Clark, Evra, Fellaini, Bannan, Noble, Van Persie, Odemwingie, Suarez.
Bannan also featured in the WhoScored 'Team of the Week'.
Make sure you're here to roar on the lads against Manchester United.