Aston Villa’s search for their first Premier League victory of the season stretched on after a 1-1 stalemate at Sunderland on Sunday, despite leading with both a goal and a man advantage.
Unai Emery’s men, who have been steadily climbing in recent campaigns, now find themselves in troubled waters, sitting in the relegation zone with only three points collected from their opening five fixtures.
Their best chance to finally end the drought came midway through the first half when Sunderland’s Reinildo Mandava was sent off for kicking out at Matty Cash.
Villa quickly capitalised, with Cash himself breaking their four-game scoring drought by drilling in a long-range strike that caught goalkeeper Robin Roefs off guard.
But the advantage evaporated just minutes later. Wilson Isidor continued his fine form, netting his third goal in as many matches after Granit Xhaka’s clever flick set him up to restore parity for the Black Cats.
Villa pushed for a late winner, yet Ollie Watkins, still goalless this campaign — missed two opportunities that summed up his side’s frustrating start to the season.
Sunderland, by contrast, are enjoying a promising return to the top flight. The newly promoted side sit seventh in the standings, having lost just once in five outings, and look determined to steer clear of the relegation trap that often engulfs newcomers.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United’s scoring problems dragged on as they were held to a third successive goalless away draw, this time at Bournemouth.
Eddie Howe, who made seven changes following the midweek Champions League defeat to Barcelona, handed a debut start to record signing Nick Woltemade, but clear chances were scarce.
Bournemouth nearly stole all three points deep into stoppage time when Justin Kluivert’s free-kick was kept out by Nick Pope.
The result briefly moved the Cherries up to third place, though the standings could shift with Arsenal set to face Manchester City later on Sunday.
A win for the Gunners would cut Liverpool’s lead at the top to three points after the Reds opened the season with a flawless run.
