Aston Villa were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Villa Park on Saturday.
Villa fell a goal behind when Yann M'Vila scored his first goal for the Black Cats with a stunning long range free-kick in the 8th minute before Scott Sinclair fired home from 12 yards after Lee Cattermole clattered into his back three minutes later.
Sinclair out the home side ahead four minutes before the break when he finished Jordan Amavi's low cross with a first-time effort but Jeremain Lens opened his Sunderland account when rifling beyond Brad Guzan from inside the area.
The draw has Villa placed 12th on the table with a win and a draw as the Black Cats sit at the foot of the table having drawn their past two.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Aston Villa: 2 (Scott Sinclair (PEN) 11'/41')
Sunderland: 2 (Yann M'Vila 8', Jeremain Lens 52')
Villa Park, Birmingham - 35,399
Debuts: SUN - Ola Toivonen (league and club)
TALKING POINTS
- Are we finally set to see the Scott Sinclair that Man City signed from Swansea in 2012?
- Has Advocaat settled things at Sunderland after a rough start?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Villa head to Leicester on September 13 as Sunderland prepare to host Tottenham on the same date.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Disappointed we didn't get the 3 points glad to be on the scoresheet, on to the next! #Avfc#utvhttps://t.co/AeISOapOfX
— Scott Sinclair (@Scotty_Sinclair) August 29, 2015Disappointed that we didn't get the win but felt we played well and the goals will come. On to the next #UTV
— Micah Richards (@MicahRichards) August 30, 2015So happy to score yesterday and to earn 1 point for my team playing outdoors! We are working hard, I'm glad to be... http://t.co/6LNE8aRBOJ
— Yann M'Vila Officiel (@yannmvilafr) August 30, 2015Happy with my first goal in the #barclayspremierleague#safcpic.twitter.com/QenAEbGbiB
— Jeremain Lens (@jeremainlens) August 29, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Villa boss Sherwood on his side's efficiency costing them a big win:
"It was one-way traffic for long spells. The only thing missing is the fine margins, the finishing touch. We should have been out of sight."
Sunderland's Advocaat on his team's improvement:
"For the majority (of the match) Villa were the better team and a point from an away game is good. I am pleased with the performance."
STATS SPECIAL
*Thanks to Opta
27 - Jordan Amavi has made more dribbles than any other player in the Premier League this season (27). Pushing.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 29, 20153 - Jeremain Lens has two assists and one goal in four Premier League appearances. Microscope.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 29, 2015
TEAM LEADERS
VILLA
Goals - Scott Sinclair 2
Assists - Ashley Westwood, Jordan Amavi 1
Clean sheets - Brad Guzan 1
Yellow cards - Ciaran Clark 3
SUNDERLAND
Goals - Jermain Defoe 2
Assists - Jeremain Lens 2
Yellow cards - Sebastian Coates, Jeremain Lens 2
