DICK ADVOCAAT has given Lee Cattermole his full backing after the Sunderland midfielder conceded a second penalty in four Premier League outings during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

The Black Cats had started brightly at Villa Park and claimed an eighth minute lead when Yann M’Vila curled in a brilliant free-kick after Danny Graham earned a foul 25 yards out.

But when Villa attacked down the opposite end less than two minutes later, Cattermole was clumsy when he climbed on the back of Scott Sinclair. Referee Robert Madley pointed to the spot and Sinclair applied the cool finish.

After Sinclair added a second four minutes before the break, Cattermole was then substituted at half-time along with Graham. It brought back memories of the opening day defeat to Leicester when Cattermole was replaced after conceding a first half spot-kick with a rash challenge.

But Advocaat said: “There was no need for that kind of penalty but I will never say anything bad about Lee Cattermole because last season he did brilliant for the team. But mistakes like that are no good.”

Sunderland recovered after the restart when new signing Ola Toivonen played a pass for Jeremain Lens and the Dutch winger cut inside before firing in the leveller.

Advocaat, who is hoping to add a striker and a defender to Sunderland’s ranks before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening, said: “I’m pleased with the point. It was a very hard working performance.

“Some moments of the game were OK but for the majority of the game, Aston Villa were the better team. A point away is good for us.

“We started the first half well and scored but then gave a very easy goal away and in an away game it gives the team more confidence.”

Sunderland are still without a win from the opening four league games of the campaign going in to this international break.