Sunderland welcome Aston Villa to the Stadium of Light in the Premier LeagueLast time out Sunderland drew at Crystal Palace and Aston Villa lost on penalties at Brentford in the League cup. The Black Cats won their first point way from home as they drew 0-0 in the capital. Jean-Philippe Mateta struck the game's first shot on target in the 49th minute, forcing a save out of Robin Roefs with Pino's rebound blocked away for a corner. That double chance brought about hope of the match sparking into life but Palace were unable to build any momentum. Roefs was on call to deny Daichi Kamada - getting down quickly to turn away the attempt as it fizzed across the slick surface - before standing tall to palm away a close-range attempt from Mateta. Le Fee, Ballard and O’Nien could return from injury. Harvey Elliott marked his full debut with Villa's first goal of the season - their first in eight hours of competitive football but it wasn’t enough as Brentford levelled and went through to the next round after winning 4-2 on penalties. Coming on the back of their winless start across four games in the Premier League. Regis le Bris: "In the second half they pushed, that is normal at home but we showed good character and resilience. Probably we didn't push enough to create chances. That is probably the next layer of the game.” "You never know but the connection so far is really positive. The players want to work together and enjoy being together. You have to improve every day." "We are not just a team who wants to defend, we have some players who are really good with the ball. We showed we are really good fighting for each other." Presser on Friday 2pm: tbc Unai Emery: “They are players who have confidence in taking penalties,” Emery explained. “We have our analysis of our players, how they have performed throughout their careers [with penalties]. I have nothing to tell them.” Ollie Watkins and Emi Buendía converted Villa’s two successful spot-kicks, but fans were surprised that Morgan Rogers wasn’t among the early takers - and that he didn’t step up at all. “With us, we don’t have any analysis of him taking a penalty,” Emery said of Rogers. “I don’t know if he is good or not [at taking them].” Form: Match Appointments: Referee: SAM BARROTT Assistant Referee: Timothy Wood Assistant Referee: Wade Smith Fourth Official: Robert Madley Video Assistant Referee: James Bell Additional Video Assistant Referee: Steven Meredith Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: Roefe, Hume, Aldrete, Mukiele, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra, Talbi, Adingra, Mayenda. Subs: Patterson, Geertruida, Masuaku, Ballard, Neil, Rigg, Isidor, Brobbey, Traore Injured: O’Nien, Alese, Cirkin, Hjelde, Mundle, Ballard Aston Villa: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, McGinn, Bogarde, Guessand, Rogers, Sancho, Watkins Substitutes: Borland, Buendia, Digne, Jimoh-Aloba, Kamara, Mings, Proctor, Elliott, Malen Injured: Barkley, Tielemans, Garcia, Onana Betting Odds: Sunderland 13/5 Villa 21/20 Draw 11/5 My two pence: Villa have started badly and currently sit in the relegation zone, they have been creating chances but are struggling to find the back of the net. I’ll be travelling up to watch this one live I’m going for a 2-0 win Live Stream: TBC Ha’way the Lads
Hopping for a home win for this one. Should be and thankfully they broke their scoring duck in the ****ty cup. Come on boys, get at them and get the win. Hoping for some Le fee magic
Brilliant RTB!!!! Torn between the team you have selected or making just one change and leaving Isidor up top. Mings, Konsa, Torres are big lads so that would be my thought leaving Isidor in there. In saying that when it's time to shift some bark it will be Brobbey time. We have so many options now from the bench....going for 2 - 1......Xhaka and Diarra.....HTL!!!!!
Think Villa will be dangerous as at some point they will click because if they don’t the manager may well be having an early holiday. We will show again why we are suited to this league and whilst I don’t expect a win I am confident we will perform well and get a positive result I will go for a 2-1 win. I also heard a stat (not sure it’s true) that any team with 8 points after 5 games has never been relegated. Am sure somebody can check that but I am not the most google friendly.
That Villa fan needs to call the Samaritans, poor sod. I was amazed and didnt realise there were different financial rules if you get into Europe, its just madness, add onto that the stupid new international breaks, I wish they would just do away with international breaks, strange how we managed without them before
Really tough game despite Villa’s slow start to the season. They’ve got quality throughout the squad. Snap your hand off for a draw.
Great write up. Sunday though. I didn’t realise until yesterday. You team however is the right one. Like to see Rigg get some decent time though.
These are a very good side a point would be fine, that being said they have a lot of injury’s in midfield if we can win that battle we can win this
Looking forward to this. It's been a tough week for me. Planning a rest day on Saturday, so I'm ready to go on Sunday. It's not going to be as easy as people think, but we can win this. Haway
Tough game. They have good players and a good manager who at some point will turn it around. Hoping a win but a point would still be a result against a regular top 10 side.
Can't wait for the game, feels like ages since we played at home. Villa are a good team but we will present them with problems and give them a tough test. I think we can knick this 2-1
Really tough game this. Amazing how far we have come when you think we see this as a chance. Always optimistic but acknowledge Villa are unlikely to continue on this bad run for much longer. Roll on Sunday
Great thread as always RTB many thanks.home for this one so can’t wait for Sunday Villa are a useful side hope they continue in the same way they’ve started but we can match them and give them a game going 2-1 for the lads COME ON
Thanks again RTB for your much awaited MDT ,. The next three games are going to shed more light on our survival hopes. If we manage 3 points out of the next 9 I would be very happy, but 4 would be a dream start. This is our first, and possibly best chance (its never going to be easy is it ?) to bag 3 in one go and I think we can do it if we play to our strengths. OaU. PS I like the look of your team and think Reg will go for it
