Match Review: Sunderland vs Aston Villa

Aston Villa are still yet to win a game this season after they were held to a 1-1 draw to ten-man Sunderland yesterday. There is undoubtedly concern from supporters as to what is actually going on at the club and why they look like a complete ghost of the side that played in the Champions League last season.

Although tactically there are some issues, ultimately it's the players' own performances that are well below the standard set since Unai Emery arrived. There seems to be eleven individuals rather than a fully committed team.

Sunderland Performance

It was another fantastic defensive display from the Black Cats, who managed to keep Villa at arms length despite playing the majority of the game a man down. Reinildo was sent off in the 33rd minute for kicking Matty Cash after a late challenge. Regis Le Bris was forced to bring on Dan Ballard, returning from injury, to sure up the defence and set up in a 5-3-1. Apart from one clear chance from Villa, Sunderland weren't really troubled and half-time approached.

Momentum was building early in the second half, with long throws threatening the Villa defence. In the 50th minute Omar Alderete's header hit the bar as a result of Cash failing to clear the ball and Nordi Mukiele putting a cross into the box. Despite pressure mounting on Villa through set pieces, Cash's thunderous effort from distance, broke the deadlock after Robin Roefs made an error in the 66th minute.

But it didn't take too long for Sunderland to equalise when Wilson Isidor scored his third goal of the season just nine minutes later. Granit Xhaka had a free header on the edge of the box that was smartly placed in the path of Isidor to put away.

Granit Xhaka and Wilson Isidor combine once again 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FdC1KxRh2E

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 21, 2025

Villa then controlled possession for the rest of the game with Sunderland keeping them out well and the game ended 1-1. Le Bris will be pleased with his sides' resilience to stay in the contest and for putting in another resolute performance.

'It's a good point. We managed small details during half time, and stayed very compact and well organised.'

RLB assesses today's draw with Aston Villa... 📺⤵️ pic.twitter.com/g3wiRqWNIu

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 21, 2025

Aston Villa Performance

Another shocking performance from Villa is raising alarms among supporters. With a man advantage for 70 minutes of the game, they should have made it count. Evann Guessand in the 25th minute ought to have scored, after a pass from Morgan Rogers left him only a few yards out, but he struck straight at Roefs. Villa then dominated the ball for the rest of the first half with no real attacking intent and quality.

As it probably would have been expected, Villa's first goal of the season in the Premier League came from a defender in Matty Cash. A strike that he seems to score when playing for Poland, but usually ends up hitting into row Z in Villa colours.

A bullet from @mattycash622 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/qPJqfSQW4Z

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 21, 2025

Donyell Malen then had a great 1 on 1 chance to kill the game off in the 74th minute, however, he opted to take the ball around the keeper, letting Mukiele get back, instead of having a shot.

Then Villa conceded a goal that is inexcusable. Whilst having numerous players around him, not one of them contested Xhaka for the ball. It summed up Villa's performances so far this season in that one moment, waiting for somebody else to do something rather than one player taking ownership and responsibility.

The substitutions of Jadon Sancho and Ian Maasten made a difference with another poor performance from Rogers. Good link up play between them saw a drilled cross from Maatsen end up in the path of Harvey Elliott who couldn't hit the target. Ollie Watkins then had a golden chance right at the end of the game, when a superb cross from Sancho was completely missed by Watkins, a striker that clearly has low morale. Cash was also not able to get on the end of it.

Emery has his work cut out to turn it around. There is a distinct lack of confidence in the squad, especially in attack where chances are few. A win is vital to boost the spirit of both players and supporters.

Unai's assessment following today's draw 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/isrQfSIHF8

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 21, 2025

Looking Ahead

Next weekend, Sunderland head to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest, who are yet to win under Ange Postecoglou. Forest start their Europa League campaign on Thursday which could mean they have some tired legs for the match against the Black Cats, giving them a good opportunity to get a result.

Villa turn their attention to the Europa League as well, where they face Bologna at Villa Park. A win is a must if they want to change things around and get some momentum, but as it stands it looks to be another very difficult fixture.