Steve Bruce's team had stormed out of the traps, hustling Villa and making all the early running.
Manager Steve Bruce is keen to retain Heskey and has said he is "very confident" of keeping him.
"John is relishing the challenge of making an impact at Sunderland, " boss Steve Bruce told the club website.
He is expected to be unveiled when manager Steve Bruce returns from holiday.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was not happy to be losing the England striker.
Athletic could be looking for a new manager with current boss Steve Bruce thought to be set to join Sunderland.
Managerless Bolton have already been refused permission to speak to Real Sociedad coach Chris Coleman and Birmingham manager Steve Bruce.
Morrison scored 71 goals in 178 games for Palace and has been City manager Steve Bruce's number one summer target.
Having now lost five of their last six, Steve Bruce's men may now start looking over their shoulder rather than ahead.
In fact, for the best part it was a case of damage limitation for Steve Bruce's side as the hosts totally dominated.
Meanwhile, Blues boss Steve Bruce will be without defenders Mat Sadler and Rafael Schmitz for the season opener at Chelsea on Sunday.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was delighted to have completed the Asamoah deal.
Martinez has emerged as a strong contender to take over as Wigan boss, if current Latics incumbent Steve Bruce is tempted away to join Sunderland.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is tracking Valenciennes' Cameroon international left-back Gaetan Bong.
"Naturally this is hugely disappointing for us as Peter was one of our primary targets, " Sunderland manager Steve Bruce told his club website.
Healy was not a regular starter during Keane's reign and remained out of favour after Ricky Sbragia and current boss Steve Bruce took charge.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis said his club had received an offer from Steve Bruce's side but a Sunderland spokeswoman told BBC Sport that was "nonsense".
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce demanded an improvement from his side after last weekend's dismal defeat to West Brom and his players responded with an energetic start.
Seven minutes of added time were given, during which Steve Bruce scored for Man Utd, clearing the way for their first top-flight title in 26 years.
Steve Bruce's towering header against Sheffield Wednesday - all of these are moments United fans will savour forever, with one man connecting them - Sir Alex Ferguson.
Hughton's sentiments are likely to be echoed by Sunderland's Steve Bruce and Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson, respectively the managers of Henderson and Smalling at club level.
The victory sees West Ham move up to sixth in the Premiership, but leaves Steve Bruce's Birmingham side six points adrift of safety and deep in trouble.
"I spoke to Steve Bruce in the summer, " said Curbishley, who wants to get back into management after recently winning his case for constructive dismissal against West Ham.
There was much to admire about Steve Bruce's passionate Black Cats who fought from the first whistle to the last and fell behind in the most extraordinary way.
The Latics boss Steve Bruce replaced Mario Melchiot with the more attack-minded Jason Koumas at the interval and the visitors made a blistering start to the second half.
BBC: SPORT | Football | Premier League | Sunderland 2-0 Wigan
Wigan manager Steve Bruce decided not to tinker on the back of their 5-0 win over Hull at the KC Stadium, their biggest away league victory in 17 years.
So Wigan's live TV press conference ended in embarrassment as Latics chairman Dave Whelan could not publicly introduce the successor to Steve Bruce, who has taken over at Sunderland.
The tie was played in front of 17, 582 supporters - and the home fans were as unimpressed as manager Steve Bruce with Sunderland's performance for the majority of the match.
BBC: Simon Mignolet fails to deal with Craig Westcarr's cross
Black Cats manager Steve Bruce may have been surprised by the impact Bent has made at the Stadium of Light, admitting "he's probably a better footballer than I thought he was".
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