Gareth Barry believes Aston Villa are better suited to playing away from Villa Park after two successive home defeats dented morale.

Villa head for struggling Sunderland on Saturday having won all three of their trips to Blues, Middlesbrough and Blackburn.

Skipper Barry said: "It is about character now. Maybe our game at the moment suits us to play away from home in that we are a good counter-attacking team.

"Teams at Villa Park are making it hard for us to break down. So we will go up to Sunderland with good confidence because of the previous away victories.

"It is important we show some character now and take that approach up to Sunderland, because that away form has been very good."

Barry believes Martin O'Neill will be looking to tinker with Villa's approach to playing at home by the time Manchester City visit in the run-up to Christmas.

"If you look at things that's two defeats on the trot at home now," he added.

"Although our away form has been good, it is at home where you need to pick up points.

"I'm sure the manager will be looking at things and I'm sure there will be a different approach to the next home game against City."