Sunderland 1-1 Aston Villa - Spirited 10-man Sunderland battle to a draw against Unai Emery's side

Speaking at a press conference after the match, Unai Emery hit out at the way in which Aston Villa are playing at the moment.

He said: "We have to recover our identity. I am not frustrated with the result, but how we are playing. We are not feeling comfortable with our style. We have to try to recover our personality and confidence to play like we are training.
"We were lazy sometimes. Lazy. The goal we conceded, we were lazy. Perhaps that’s because we didn’t play in our style."

Clarifying his comments, he added: "Ah, lazy - sometimes lazy when we are playing here away, we have to fight the duels, and we were not fighting all duels. I watched the goal we conceded, and we were lazy. We were lazy, but all the team, not just the centre-backs or Cash. We are lazy.

"Usually the players have (the right) attitude. But sometimes maybe they are a bit upset or not feeling good. They are not fighting. It is not something I can tell them like a punishment. Collectively, we have to try and understand and feel better."

Aston Villa got their first league goal of the season but their search for a first Premier League win goes on after a valiant 10-man Sunderland came from behind to secure a crucial point.

The Black Cats went down to ten men in the first half when defender Reinildo was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after reacting and kicking out on Matty Cash.

Despite the numerical advantage, Aston Villa struggled to break down Sunderland's defence and the hosts nearly went in front through a Omar Alderete header which hit the crossbar.

Villa took the lead in the 67th minute when Cash scored from 25 yards out with a fantastic strike that beat goalkeeper Robin Roefs with its significant swerve.

Sunderland fought their way back into the game and Wilson Isidor equalised with a well taken finish after a headed assist by captain Granit Xhaka.

Villa had the chances to win it late on, especially in added time when Ollie Watkins had a free header right in front of the goal but the England striker failed to make any contact with the ball.

Sunderland remain unbeaten at the Stadium of Light and have eight points from five matches, keeping their position in the top half of the table. Unai Emery’s side have three points from five games and remain in the bottom three.

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It ends all square at the Stadium of Light!

Aston Villa will feel like they should have won it in added time, but Sunderland deserved a draw with a hard-fought performance after going down to ten men.

How has Watkins not scored? A lovely cross is sent in from the left by Sancho to Watkins, who has a free header from six yards out but fails to make any contact with the ball.

A big let off for Sunderland!

Sunderland make their final change as Noah Sadiki is replaced by Dan Neil.

Five additional minutes, will either side get a winner?

Sunderland skipper Granit Xhaka is booked as he trips Ian Maatsen.

Aston Villa are really pushing for the winner now!

Sunderland are unable to clear their lines and the ball comes to Elliott on the edge of the box who hits it first time as his shot goes just wide of the top left corner.

Two more changes for Aston Villa as Jadon Sancho and Lamare Bogarde replace Rogers and Kamara.

Triple change for Sunderland as the goalscorer Wilson Isidor, Chemelsdine Talbi and Enzo Le Fee all come off.

Lutsharel Geertruida, Eliezer Mayenda and Arthur Masuaku are the three players to replace them.

Sunderland are back in it! A shot is deflected before Granit Xhaka plays a lovely cushioned header into Wilson Isidor who slots it into the bottom corner for his third goal of the season.

Game on here at the Stadium of Light!

Just after coming on, Malen finds plenty of space as a header is played into his path, but the Dutchman gets the ball taken off him just before pulling the trigger in the Sunderland box.

A third change of the afternoon for the visitors as Donyell Malen comes on for Evann Guessand.

Aston Villa have their first goal of the season with a brilliant strike by Matty Cash!

The right back lines up from around 25 years out and rifles a shot which gets a lot of movement and swerves past the Sunderland keeper who is only able to parry it into the net.

Could Robin Roefs maybe have done better to stop it?

Noah Sadiki makes a fantastic run into the box before eventually getting tackled by Boubacar Kamara who sends it out for a corner.

Sunderland looking the more likely side to get the opening goal for now.

Emiliano Buendía and Lucas Digne are replaced by Harvey Elliott and Ian Maatsen, who are sent on to spark the Villans' attack.

Elliott has Aston Villa’s only goal of the season to date, which came against Brentford in the Carabao Cup midweek.

Set plays are certainly Sunderland's biggest threat! A fantastic corner is met by Nordi Mukiele at the far post who heads it wide.

Following that, another corner is sent in which also creates more chaos in the Villa box before Martinez is fouled.

So close for the Black Cats! Aston Villa don't deal with the first ball into the box, before Alderete sends a looping header against the crossbar before being cleared away.

10-man Sunderland have been the better side so far in the second half!

Aston Villa get the second half underway. No changes at the break for either team.