Chopra, signed in the summer from Cardiff City for £5million, had been left out of the squad for last weekend's home match with Chelsea.

But he responded in the right way by coming off the substitutes' bench against Aston Villa to grab an 83rd minute goal and earn the Black Cats their first away success of the campaign.

It lifted them four points clear of the bottom three with only seven fixtures remaining.

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Chopra's previous goal in open play had come against Birmingham City at St Andrews in the second match of the season and he again showed his liking for the Second City by putting a dent in Villa's European hopes.

Keane said: "Michael would have been disappointed to be left out last week but he has got his head down and he got his opportunity.

"Before every game you ask which player is likely to get you a goal and Michael is up there with three or four players. If we create chances, Michael will score but we don't create that many. In defence of him, I have played him out of position on quite a few occasions. Maybe criticism of him is a bit unfair but myself and the staff are delighted with him."