Midlands | Villa held by 10-man Sunderland

Sunderland 1 - 1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa’s wait for a first Premier League win continues after 10-man Sunderland came from behind to claim a hard-earned point.

Author | Jamie P

Stadium | Stadium of Light

The home side were forced to dig deep after defender Reinildo was sent off in the 33rd minute for violent conduct, having lashed out at Matty Cash following a tussle with the Villa right-back.

Despite the setback, Sunderland nearly edged in front when Omar Alderete’s powerful header struck the crossbar early in the second half. Villa then looked to have secured their long-awaited breakthrough when Cash unleashed a swerving strike from distance that left goalkeeper Robin Roefs rooted.

Yet Unai Emery’s side were unable to hold on, and Wilson Isidor levelled with a close-range finish after captain Granit Xhaka rose highest to nod the ball into his path.

View from behind the goal

The Black Cats, unbeaten in three league games, move on to eight points from their opening five fixtures. Villa, still without a victory, have just three points and remain in the bottom three.

Villa's miserable start to the season continues

Villa, missing the injured Youri Tielemans, will reflect on how they let two points slip after Matty Cash’s strike had finally ended their wait for a first league goal of the season.

Ollie Watkins squandered a golden chance in stoppage time, failing to make contact with Jadon Sancho’s cross, on a day when Villa once again looked short of conviction.

READ MORE | Villa exit Carabao Cup 

Unai Emery’s tenure has been marked by steady progress, his side averaging 1.81 points per game before this season and securing fourth and sixth-place finishes in the past two campaigns. Yet this campaign has begun in faltering fashion. Already eliminated from the Carabao Cup in September and still searching for a league victory, Villa have looked short of confidence and far from the levels of their recent seasons.

With upcoming fixtures at home to Fulham and Burnley, the pressure will grow on Emery if the winless run is not halted soon.