Sunderland defender Wes Brown was pleased with their point earned at Aston Villa.
Brown feels Sunderland can start making a move towards calmer waters.
He said: "It's so hard over Christmas, with the number of games, but bottom is a place where we don't want to be.
"Our defence will be the key. We have to be as strong as we can.
"If you don't concede any, then you won't lose and that's always a good starting point.
"If we can help out getting some goals up front, getting some opportunities up there, then all the better."
