Kevin Phillips is accustomed to scoring goals at the Stadium of Light.

Of the 130 he scored in his days as a living Sunderland legend, half of them came in front of his adoring home fans.

No player has scored more times on this ground. And, when wearing the red and white striped shirt of an adopted ' Mackem', his goal celebrations were generally something to behold.

But, clad in the claret and blue of Aston Villa on Saturday, Phillips was sportingly, and sensibly, a lot more restrained in acknowledging his goal on what was on his first return since leaving for Southampton in May 2003.

"There was no reason for me to run around and rub someone's noses in it," he said. "The Sunderland fans have always been great to me over the years.

"But luckily," he said, "it was right in front of our supporters so I didn't have to run around.

"I'd be lying if I thought I wouldn't get a good reception back here. I always had a great rapport with the the crowd and I feel for them right now as they're going through some tough times.

"But that's what I'm paid to do and I was delighted to score, not because it was any sort of bitter-sweet goal, just because it gets me back on the goalscoring trail. And it helped set up a fantastic result for us.

" We all knew how important it was to come here and get a win. Especially against a well organised and determined Sunderland side.

"They worked hard and if they had someone to take their chances they'd have more of a chance. But I think we showed in the end we've got more quality.

"Aaron Hughes has set up two of my goals this year, the first one against Bolton and now this one too. It was a top quality cross that's hard to defend against and I didn't have a lot to do, just to direct it in on goal. But I was gutted to go off as I felt when my goal went in there were going to be chances.

"I came out after a shower and we're 3-0 up and I'm thinking 'That could have been a hattrick for me'."

Strike partner Milan Baros was pleased just to get through another 90 minutes as he attempts to regain match fitness following a frustrating two months suffering with his Achilles tendon problem. But, after setting up Phillips' opener, his own goal was mere icing on the cake.

"It was a great ball from Luke Moore for me," said Baros. "And, for the first goal, it was a good cross by Aaron Hughes and a good finish, It's good to have great players like Kevin Phillips around you.

"For me, after nearly six weeks out, I need to get back my confidence and fitness levels back and with every game it's getting better.

"But we needed that win. We came here for the three points, we got them and we deserved them."